The Prisoners of Welfare: Liberating America's Poor from Unemployment and Low Wages

by David Riemer

Overview

Every year, the welfare system in America absorbs billions of dollars—money that could be used to eliminate poverty by creating jobs and subsidizing wages. The Prisoners of Welfare proposes a comprehensive alternative to America's fundamentally flawed welfare system with detailed, specific strategies. Riemer's proposals for revamping existing social support systems include an analysis of the roles of state and federal governments—proving a valuable resource for academics in public policy, labor studies, and social policy, and a blueprint for reform-minded government officials.

Every year, the welfare system in America absorbs billions of dollars—money that could be used to eliminate poverty by creating jobs and subsidizing wages. The Prisoners of Welfare proposes a comprehensive alternative to America's fundamentally flawed welfare system with detailed, specific strategies. Riemer's proposals for revamping existing social support systems include an analysis of the roles of state and federal governments—proving a valuable resource for academics in public policy, labor studies, and social policy, and a blueprint for reform-minded government officials.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275927059
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/06/1988
Pages:	219
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.56(d)

About the Author

DAVID RAPHAEL RIEMER is Director of the Department of Budget and Management Analysis for the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Table of Contents

Overview: Reshaping the Debate
Why the Poor Are Poor
Who Are the Poor?
Poverty and Work
The Job Shortage
Low-Wage Jobs
The Long Queue
Why Welfare Reform Will Fail
Faulty Premises
The Omitted Poor
The Prisoners of Welfare
Ending Poverty
The Right Not to be Poor
The Mechanics of Justice
Day Care and Health Insurance
The Cost of Justice
Conclusion: Five Choices
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

On the causes of poverty in the US, the role of the welfare system in perpetuating poverty, and the direction public policy should take. Though Riemer advocates the need for a long-term solution, the book explores what can be done in the short-term to provide unemployed poor with jobs and working poor with adequate renumeration. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews