Welfare Reform Word Games

From The Heritage Foundation, I’m Ernest Istook.

Mitt Romney says President Obama is dismantling the welfare reform law passed in 1996, by undercutting its requirements that recipients should work for what they receive.

The White House says that work remains required.

How can people figure out who’s right?

The answer is simple: Each side means something totally different when they use the word “work”. Romney applies the original definition from the original law. Obama uses the word “work” but says states can change the definition if they wish. That means weakening the meaning, not strengthening it.

Both men pay allegiance to work, but the word has a different meaning to each man.

Some states want to say resting in bed should count, because it’s resting up to prepare for work. That’s a good reason to stick with the original definition that everybody understands; don’t change it, Mr. President.

From The Heritage Foundation, I’m Ernest Istook.

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Ernest Istook
Ernest J. Istook Jr. brings extensive congressional experience to bear on public policy issues as a Distinguished Fellow at The Heritage Foundation. He also hosts the talk radio show “Istook Live!” from Heritage’s Robert H. Bruce radio studio. Istook served 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives before joining Heritage in 2007. Follow Ernest on Twitter @ErnestIstook

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