Unit 5: Peer Review of the Academic

1.Describe your writing process:

I decided to write about something I was very passionate about. It was easy for me to research and talk about.

2. Identify an area of pride

An area of pride is the research I was doing while writing this paper. I think that I have a good argument and the research I have done reflects that.

3. Identify an area of concern

I feel as though I didnt touch on the other side of this argument. I feel as though this paper is very one sided.

4.What do you need help with?  What would you like classmates to comment on or suggest?  

Would it be better if I had more direct quotes? Is there too much information about one side or another?

  Unit 4.docx (37.875 KB) 

[Title Here, up to 12 Words, on One to Two Lines]

Andrea Wood

Herzing University

[Title Here, up to 12 Words, on One to Two Lines]

I decided to take on a new topic that I have a very hard time with, our welfare system. The government welfare system was designed to help those in need. The program that is currently in place is doing more harm than good and is encouraging government dependency.

I have worked extremely hard to get where I am at. I had a great job at the age of 20, owned a house at 19 and has always had a great vehicle to drive. I was married with two children by 23. There are always things that can be improved but I am working on that right now by getting an education.

In this section I am going to touch on housing assistance. There are over 16 programs that help with housing assistance. In 2005 alone, a total of $143 million was used for housing assistance. Where do you suppose that money comes from? Tax payers. No wonder our taxes are outrageous! In 2015, Comcast implemented a program that allows low income families internet access in their home. My thoughts are, why is this needed? They provide 29,000 homes with free internet. I think the internet is stretching it. Each county has a library with internet and computers. Most schools now provide their students with computers and most places provide free wi-fi.

In 2017, TANF provided income to 2.5 million people. In 2015, only 23% of those families were living below the poverty level.The TANF program provides income to families in need. It has also been recorded that many families are overlapping assistants. Many families are able to receive TANF (temporary assistance for needy families) and SIS (supplemental security income). SIS is designed for the disable, but many families that receive TANF report themselves as disable as well, which qualifies them to receive both supplements. There was a study done, for every 442 people receiving TANF, 221 of those people had a drug problem. Though there are many programs that help try and get these recipients back to work, they should focus on their mental health and state before shoving people into the work place. Otherwise, what is the point if they are going to end up where they were in the first place.

In 1939 the Food Stamp Act was put into place by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1988, the government amended a punishment for illegal food stamp trafficking. People would sell their food stamps for money. Majority of food stamp users are adults older than 65 years old. Which makes it apparent that retired adults who have more than likely worked their whole life are the ones in need.

In conclusion, this research has been very informative and disappointing. I knew that our system was a little twisted, but now I know a little bit more how upside down we are. The working community is paying for the welfare community. Yes, there are people who do deserve welfare and need it. But, there is a line that needs to be drawn. I think they need to implement drug testing for all welfare recipients. I also believe that if you are able to work that you need to be in a work program. I have also found that many adults that receive welfare have mental illness. I think that would be a great part of the work program if they have weekly clinical meetings. But, then again where does that money come from? There is a lot of room for improvements and these are just a few that I have found in my research.

References House hands some funding victories to housing assistance programs. (2005, July 11). Economic Opportunity Report, 40(14), 134. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A134292909/GPS?u=lirn50909&sid=GPS&xid=b7723fb6 Comcast: Essentials Program Supplies Opportunity for Low-income Families to Gain Online Access.Dec. 29 2017 Entertainment Close-up. Business Collection, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A520697429/GPS?u=lirn50909&sid=GPS&xid=69f2b1b2. Welfare Programs List with Myths Vs Facts 4 June 2004https://www.thebalance.com/welfare-programs-definition-and-list-3305759 Wamhoff, S., & Wiseman, M. (2006, 05). The TANF/SSI connection. Social Security Bulletin, 66, 21-36. Retrieved from https://prx-herzing.lirn.net/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.prx-herzing.lirn.net/docview/227780159?accountid=167104