Letters from an American February 15, 2025
22 snips
Feb 16, 2025 Dive into the shifting narrative of government responsibility since World War II, revealing the rise of resistance from business leaders against welfare programs. Explore how racial perceptions have shaped views on aid and the alarming impact of federal employee cuts on essential services. Unpack the proposed budget cuts by the Trump administration, highlighting the stark financial losses faced by Republican-leaning states like Texas and Ohio, and their effect on critical health care and education programs.
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The Welfare Queen Trope
- Ronald Reagan popularized the story of the “welfare queen” to exemplify his argument against government spending.
- While based on a real person, the story misrepresented welfare recipients and fueled the narrative that government programs primarily benefited undeserving Black Americans.
The Birth of a Narrative
- Some wealthy businessmen and social conservatives opposed the post-WWII consensus on government regulation and social programs.
- They used the Brown v. Board of Education decision to argue that protecting Black rights redistributed wealth from white taxpayers to undeserving Black citizens.
Public Perception vs. Reality
- Despite public perception of excessive spending on foreign aid, the U.S. dedicates only about 1% of its budget to it.
- Public opinion polls also reveal that a majority of Americans favor increased spending on social programs like Social Security, Medicare, and education.