A Self-Inflicted Wound!

Want to know why California is in DEEP-Doo_Doo? (That is a technical economic term.)

Here are the numbers: California has 12% of the Nation’s population, and 32% of the nation’s welfare cases!

California has more welfare cases than the next eight states in welfare – combined!

1. California — 1,226,362 recipients — 36.8 million population
   2. New York — 252,434 recipients — 19.5 million population
   3. Ohio — 178,652 recipients — 11.5 million population
   4. Michigan — 154,985 recipients — 10 million population
   5. Tennessee — 138,744 recipients — 6.2 million population
   6. Washington — 122,477 recipients — 6.5 million population
   7. Indiana — 117,987 recipients — 6.4 million population
   8. Texas — 114,258 recipients — 24.3 million population
   9. Pennsylvania — 113,826 recipients — 12.4 million population

I am indebted to Chris Reed, editorial writer for the SD Union-Tribune for the numbers. The population numbers came from the Census, and the welfare recipients from  2008 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families on the Housing and human Services website http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/data-reports/caseload/2008/2008_recipient_tan.htm

In effect, by not enforcing the Welfare to Work federal rules, California has not  been as successful as the rest of the country in getting people to work in a timely manner.

While the rest of the country has reduced its welfare rolls more than 50%, California has only reduced theirs 28%, and the same mobility that permits taxpayers to move out of California permits tax-eaters to move into California.

Harry was right! (“Eventually, a welfare state is frightened of every poor person who tries to get in and every rich person who tries to get out.” . . . Harry Browne)