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IPFS News Link • Government

Delusions of Welfare

• http://www.thedailybell.com

State child welfare system failing to protect youth ... Until I had to deal with the Florida Department of Children and Families, I thought some of the criticism of it was unwarranted. Now I remember someone said, "It takes a village to bring up a child." I say that because when I called I was told three times only the person receiving funds from the agency could make a complaint. Does that account for why some children die because no one in the family could "interfere"? – Letter to the Bradenton Herald

Dominant Social Theme: Government welfare needs to work better. But even if it doesn't, I'll get mine.

Free-Market Analysis: There are numerous delusions associated with state welfare. Here, we will discuss two of the main ones. Our thanks to economist Gary North for a recent article that clarified our understanding.

Begin with this letter to the editor, above. It makes certain perfectly logical assumptions about the way that welfare services ought to work. The letter writer, assuming the person is not being ironic, believes that adjustments in the system will make it operate properly.

In fact, even today many well-meaning people believe that the problems with government stem from not having systems in place that encourage efficiency and appropriate results.

If only the proper authorities were alerted, the difficulties might be resolved so that people can get the level of care they deserve.

More from the letter:

When a DCF family has to get food from a shelter to feed a family or not pay the rent, something is very wrong. When a family suddenly has its monthly payment drastically reduced, without explanation, something is wrong ... Who is going to rewrite the rules of procedure for this vital department to protect the children?

Unfortunately, when it comes to government services, expecting that someone sooner or later will right what is "wrong" by "rewriting the rules" is probably a forlorn hope.

No matter the intentions of these sorts of critics, a monopoly government service is not going to change for the better when there is no real outside competition to induce discipline.

But there is a second delusion that perpetuates the welfare state.

In a recent column entitled "Lake Wobegon Economics and the Welfare State," economist Gary North explains.

First, he provides a definition of "Wobegon economics." It is "the widespread belief that, with respect to paying the bills run up by the welfare state, everyone will pay less than his fair share."


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