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W

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SERIES, AMERICA'S SAFETY NET ON

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THE COMPLICATED WEB OF PROGRAMS

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MEANT TO HELP AMERICANS IN NEED.

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WE WILL TAKE AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT

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THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF WELFARE

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AND THE U.S. BUT FIRST WITH OUR

8
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PRODUCER WE WILL SPEND SOME TIME

9
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EXPLAINING WHAT THE AMERICAN

10
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SOCIAL SAFETY NET IS.

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WHO IT SERVES AND HOW IT CAME TO

12
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LOOK AWAY THAT IT DOES TODAY.

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THE YEAR WAS 1935.

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THE U.S. WAS STILL STRUGGLING

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THROUGH THE GREAT DEPRESSION.

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A QUARTER OF THE POPULATION WAS

17
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JUST UNEMPLOYED, A LEVEL NOT

18
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SEEN BEFORE AND HAS NOT SEEN

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SINCE.

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THAT AUGUST, AS PART OF HIS NEW

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DEAL, FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT SIGNED

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THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT INTO

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LAW.

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IN ADDITION TO THE RETIREMENT

25
00:00:53,966 --> 00:00:56,366
BENEFITS IT IS KNOWN FOR COME OF

26
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THE LAW LAID A FOUNDATION FOR

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THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IN

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PROGRAMS LIKE UNEMPLOYMENT

29
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INSURANCE AND CASH ASSISTANCE

30
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FOR FAMILIES.

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ROOSEVELT CALLED IT A

32
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CORNERSTONE IN A STRUCTURE BEING

33
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BUILT BUT NOT COMPLETE.

34
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>> WE HAVE TRIED TO FRAME A LAW

35
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WHICH WILL GIVE SOME MEASURE OF

36
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PROTECTION TO THE AVERAGE

37
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CITIZEN AND HIS FAMILY.

38
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GEOFF: IN THE NEARLY 90 YEARS

39
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SINCE ROOSEVELT SIGNED THE LAW

40
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POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON AND

41
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ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE ARGUED

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ABOUT THE BEST WAYS TO HELP

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AMERICANS THAT LIVE IN AND NEAR

44
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POVERTY.

45
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THE DISAGREEMENTS HAVE RANGED

46
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FROM THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS OF THE

47
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ASSISTANCE TO HOW MUCH IT SHOULD

48
00:01:35,100 --> 00:01:36,733
BE TIED TO WORK REQUIREMENTS AND

49
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HOW POVERTY ITSELF IS DEFINED

50
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AND MEASURED.

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DURING HIS STATE OF THE UNION IN

52
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1964, PRESIDENT JOHNSON

53
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ANNOUNCED AN UNCONDITIONAL WAR

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ON POVERTY IN AMERICA.

55
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>> OUR AIM IS NOT ONLY TO

56
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RELIEVE THE SYMPTOM OF POVERTY

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BUT TO CURE IT AND TWO ABOVE

58
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ALL PREVENT IT.

59
00:01:58,066 --> 00:02:02,266
GEOFF: JOHNSON'S WAR INCLUDED

60
00:02:02,266 --> 00:02:02,933
THE CREATION OF MEDICARE AND

61
00:02:02,933 --> 00:02:03,900
MEDICAID.

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A PERMANENT FOODSTUFF PROGRAM

63
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KNOWN AS SNAP AND THE EXPANSION

64
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OF SOCIAL SECURITY.

65
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AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, THE

66
00:02:11,933 --> 00:02:13,166
GOVERNMENT CAME UP WITH A

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UNIFORM WAY TO MEASURE POVERTY.

68
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COMPARING A FAMILY'S INCOME

69
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AGAINST A NATIONAL THRESHOLD.

70
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IN 1959 POVERTY RATE SAT AT 22%.

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IN 1973, 11%.

72
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THERE IT WAS IN 2022.

73
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WITH ALMOST 40 MILLION AMERICANS

74
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IN POVERTY.

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THE MEASURE IS CONSIDERED

76
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IMPERFECT.

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SOME SAY THE POVERTY LINE,

78
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$31,000 FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR IS

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TOO LOW.

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THERE ARE OTHER MEASURES THAT

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ACCOUNT FOR THINGS LIKE

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GEOGRAPHY, COST-OF-LIVING,

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CONSUMPTION OR HOW MUCH

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GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE A FAMILY

85
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GETS NO MATTER HOW IT IS

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MEASURED, POVERTY IS OFTEN

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MISUNDERSTOOD SAYS A CORNELL

88
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UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR.

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>> WE THINK ABOUT POVERTY AS

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MORE LIMITED THAN IT ACTUALLY

91
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IS.

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AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE CAN TELL

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OURSELVES THAT PEOPLE LIVING IN

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POVERTY ARE VERY DIFFERENT THAN

95
00:03:06,633 --> 00:03:08,266
PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT.

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AB THERE ARE SOME THINGS WRONG

97
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WITH THEM.

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A REALITY IS THAT IF WE TAKE A

99
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LIFE COURSE PERSPECTIVE, A

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MAJORITY OF AMERICANS, SOMETHING

101
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APPROACHING 60%, WILL EXPERIENCE

102
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POVERTY AT SOME POINT IN THEIR

103
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LIFETIME.

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MOST PEOPLE --

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GEOFF: 60% OR HIGHER.

106
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IS THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET

107
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ADEQUATE?

108
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>> WHAT I WOULD SAY FROM MY

109
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PERSPECTIVE IS A RESOUNDING NO.

110
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>> I WOULD ANSWER YES.

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GEOFF: A SENIOR FELLOW AT THE

112
00:03:45,700 --> 00:03:46,633
CONSERVATIVE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE

113
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INSTITUTE HAS A DIFFERENT VIEW.

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HE CREATED THIS CHART OF

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PROGRAMS FOD AID TO

116
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HOUSING TO HEALTH CARE THAT

117
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SHOWS THE COMPLEXITY OF THE

118
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SAFETY NET.

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HE SAYS IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO

120
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TRACK THE SUCCESS OF SPECIFIC

121
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PROGRAMS BUT --

122
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>> IF YOU LOOK AT NUANCED

123
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POVERTY MEASURES THAT COUNT THE

124
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ASSISTANCE THAT FAMILIES HAVE

125
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FROM WORK, RELATIVES, OWNING

126
00:04:09,566 --> 00:04:11,933
THEIR OWN HOMES, THE LEVEL OF

127
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POVERTY AND THE U.S. HAS DROPPED

128
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TO A LOW LEVEL.

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GEOFF: AS A CONGRESSIONAL

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STAFFER HE HELPED DRAFT THE

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LANDMARK WELFARE REFORM LAW IN

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THE 1990'S.

133
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THE LEGISLATION FOLLOWED YEARS

134
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OF ANTI-WELFARE SENTIMENT DRIVEN

135
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BY PERCEPTIONS OF RAMPANT ABUSE.

136
00:04:28,700 --> 00:04:31,333
IN HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS,

137
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RONALD REAGAN POPULARIZED THE

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STEREOTYPE.

139
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BY 1994, THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS

140
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RECEIVING CASH ASSISTANCE

141
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REACHED ITS PEAK AT 14 MILLION.

142
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IN 1996 AFTER A PLEDGE TO END

143
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WELFARE AS WE KNOW IT, PRESIDENT

144
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CLINTON STRUCK A DEAL WITH

145
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REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS.

146
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IT REPLACE THE CASH ASSISTANCE

147
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PROGRAM WITH TEMPORARY

148
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ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES.

149
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IT IMPOSED TIME LIMITS AND WORK

150
00:05:00,566 --> 00:05:01,700
REQUIREMENTS AND MADE STATES

151
00:05:01,700 --> 00:05:02,366
RESPONSIBLE FOR DISTRIBUTING

152
00:05:02,366 --> 00:05:03,566
MONEY.

153
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THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES ON

154
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WELFARE PLUMMETED.

155
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IN THE YEARS SINCE, DEBATES HAVE

156
00:05:09,333 --> 00:05:10,233
CONTINUED OVER THE SIZE AND

157
00:05:10,233 --> 00:05:13,066
SHAPE OF THE SAFETY NET.

158
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>> I MUCH MORE SUPPORTIVE OF A

159
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WORK BASED SAFETY NET INCLUDING

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BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THE

161
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AMERICAN PEOPLE SAY THEY WANT.

162
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PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE

163
00:05:22,300 --> 00:05:23,233
AMERICAN DREAM AS SOMETHING

164
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WHERE THE GOVERNMENT GIVES YOU A

165
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BIG ENOUGH CHECK THAT YOU CAN

166
00:05:26,933 --> 00:05:27,900
AVOID WORKING.

167
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THEY UNDERSTAND IT AS HELPING

168
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PEOPLE GO TO WORK AND LIFT THEIR

169
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FAMILY.

170
00:05:32,500 --> 00:05:34,200
>> IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE THE

171
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SAFETY NET ABOUT WHAT IT IS

172
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ABOUT WITCHES SUPPORTING PEOPLE

173
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AND -- IN TIMES OF NEED.

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WHEN WE TRY TO MAKE IT ABOUT

175
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MAKING PEOPLE WORK, CAN END UP

176
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NOT PROVIDING THEM WITH THE

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SUPPORT THEY NEED, IRONICALLY

178
00:05:48,533 --> 00:05:50,933
WITH THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO

179
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WORK.

180
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OFTEN THEY WANT TO DO THAT

181
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BECAUSE THERE IS SOME SORT OF

182
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PRINCIPAL.

183
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WE WANT TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE

184
00:05:56,233 --> 00:05:58,600
NOT MOOCHING OFF THE STATE OR

185
00:05:58,600 --> 00:05:59,533
NOT WORKING SUFFICIENTLY HARD.

186
00:05:59,533 --> 00:06:03,300
GEOFF: THE BENEFITS ARE TAXPAYER

187
00:06:03,300 --> 00:06:05,333
- -ARE TAXPAYER FUNDED.

188
00:06:05,333 --> 00:06:08,533
>> BUT TO BE FAIR, PEOPLE LIVING

189
00:06:08,533 --> 00:06:10,733
NEAR POVERTY PAY TAXES ALSO.

190
00:06:10,733 --> 00:06:13,333
MANY OF US ARE PAYING INTO THE

191
00:06:13,333 --> 00:06:15,333
SAFETY NET SYSTEM AND MANY OF US

192
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WILL DRAW OUT OF IT IN OUR TIME

193
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OF NEED.

194
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GEOFF: BEFORE THE PANDEMIC 30%

195
00:06:22,466 --> 00:06:23,433
OF THE POPULATION USED AT LEAST

196
00:06:23,433 --> 00:06:25,266
ONE OF THE COUNTRIES HE SAFETY

197
00:06:25,266 --> 00:06:26,200
NET PROGRAMS.

198
00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:27,666
ALTOGETHER THE PROGRAMS COST THE

199
00:06:27,666 --> 00:06:30,700
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WELL OVER 700

200
00:06:30,700 --> 00:06:31,666
BILLION DOLLARS AND THAT DOES

201
00:06:31,666 --> 00:06:33,633
NOT INCLUDE ALL THE MONEY FOR

202
00:06:33,633 --> 00:06:34,566
THINGS LIKE THE AFFORDABLE CARE

203
00:06:34,566 --> 00:06:39,133
ACT WHICH HELPS TENS OF MILLIONS

204
00:06:39,133 --> 00:06:40,766
OF AMERICANS ACCESS HEALTH CARE.

205
00:06:40,766 --> 00:06:42,366
PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNED IT IN

206
00:06:42,366 --> 00:06:44,166
2010 AND IT REPRESENTED THE

207
00:06:44,166 --> 00:06:46,233
LARGEST EXPANSION OF THE SAFETY

208
00:06:46,233 --> 00:06:47,166
NET IN DECADES.

209
00:06:47,166 --> 00:06:50,533
DESPITE WELFARE'S REACH, ALMOST

210
00:06:50,533 --> 00:06:51,500
HALF OF AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS

211
00:06:51,500 --> 00:06:52,433
STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND

212
00:06:52,433 --> 00:06:55,333
THE NUMBER IS HIGHER AMONG BLACK

213
00:06:55,333 --> 00:06:56,300
AND BROWN HOUSEHOLDS.

214
00:06:56,300 --> 00:06:57,733
OVER THE COMING WEEKS, WE WILL

215
00:06:57,733 --> 00:06:58,933
BRING YOU THE STORIES OF THOSE

216
00:06:58,933 --> 00:07:00,966
FAMILIES AND SHOW YOU WHAT IT IS

217
00:07:00,966 --> 00:07:02,400
LIKE TO NAVIGATE AMERICA'S

218
00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:05,066
INCREASINGLY COMPLEX SAFETY NET.

219
00:07:05,066 --> 00:07:06,333
WE EXPLORE WHITE UP TO HALF OF

220
00:07:06,333 --> 00:07:08,100
THE PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS

221
00:07:08,100 --> 00:07:09,133
NOT RECEIVE THEM.

222
00:07:09,133 --> 00:07:12,500
>> IT IS VERY TIME-CONSUMING.

223
00:07:12,500 --> 00:07:14,933
THEY WANT TO KNOW EVERY LITTLE

224
00:07:14,933 --> 00:07:15,633
PENNY AND CHANGE IN YOUR

225
00:07:15,633 --> 00:07:16,600
CIRCUMSTANCE.

226
00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:18,266
AND ANYTHING COULD AFFECT YOU.

227
00:07:18,266 --> 00:07:21,833
GEOFF: WHY IT IS SO HARD TO

228
00:07:21,833 --> 00:07:25,533
ACCESS HOUSING ASSISTANCE, HOW

229
00:07:25,533 --> 00:07:26,466
BENEFITS EXPANDED DRAMATICALLY

230
00:07:26,466 --> 00:07:29,933
DURING THE PANDEMIC AND PROPERLY

231
00:07:29,933 --> 00:07:31,433
- - AND POVERTY PLUNGED ONLY TO

232
00:07:31,433 --> 00:07:32,166
REBOUND WHEN THE POLICIES

233
00:07:32,166 --> 00:07:33,433
EXPIRED.

234
00:07:33,433 --> 00:07:36,900
>> I FELT LIKE SOMEONE FELT OUR

235
00:07:36,900 --> 00:07:38,266
PAIN AND THEN THEY FORGOT ALL OF

236
00:07:38,266 --> 00:07:39,233
IT AND WE WERE HUNG OUT TO DRY.

237
00:07:39,233 --> 00:07:42,500
GEOFF: AND WHAT WORKS AND DOES

238
00:07:42,500 --> 00:07:45,066
NOT WHEN IT COMES TO ALLEVIATING

239
00:07:45,066 --> 00:07:46,133
FOOD INSECURITY NATIONWIDE.

240
00:07:46,133 --> 00:07:48,933
>> I WAS DIGGING THROUGH MY

241
00:07:48,933 --> 00:07:51,133
PURSE TO FIND TWO PENNIES TO PAY

242
00:07:51,133 --> 00:07:51,900
THE REST OF MY SNAP.

243
00:07:51,900 --> 00:07:55,933
I FELT LIKE TRASH.

244
00:07:55,933 --> 00:07:57,533
LIKE I AM JUST NOTHING TO THIS

245
00:07:57,533 --> 00:07:58,466
COUNTRY.

246
00:07:58,466 --> 00:08:02,866
GEOFF: THIS AS PBS NEWSHOUR HAS

247
00:08:03,766 --> 00:08:04,566
OUR SPECIAL SERIES, AMERICA'S

248
00:08:04,566 --> 00:08:05,533
SAFETY NET.

249
00:08:05,533 --> 00:08:07,233
AND YOU CAN WATCH MORE STORIES

250
00:08:07,233 --> 00:08:08,733
ON THE SAFETY NET ON MONDAYS ON

251
00:08:08,733 --> 00:08:09,566
THE NEWSHOUR AND C