A Poor State of Affairs: An Examination of the Conservative Attack on Welfare Recipients

Posted: 14 Oct 2011

Date Written: October 14, 2011

Abstract

U.S. social Welfare policy deflects attention from [the relatively invisible] Economic disparities, dislocations, discriminations in the labor market, disinvestment in inner cities and the decreasing social support for low income families. In the way, poverty becomes private matter attributed to personal irresponsibility and the government is relieved of any responsibility for either creating or redressing this poverty. Florida Governor Rick Scott proposed a law that would require all welfare recipients to pay $35 for a drug test in order to receive benefits. The governor produced no research supporting his claim that drug use among recipients was an issue. When questioned about the ‘drug farms’ in the state, the governor cited that doctors have a right to privacy and should not be questioned about the number of prescriptions they have written. Minnesota legislators introduced a law that would make it illegal for welfare recipients to carry more than $20 in cash in their person. This law was said to combat so-called drug use among recipients, although there was no evidence produce to support this claim.

Through the use of Critical Race Theory, Black Feminist Theory, and content analysis, this paper will examine how state legislators in Minnesota and the Governor of Florida created arbitrary laws based on racial stereotypes in an effort to suppress specific groups and ultimate violate these groups right to privacy (4th amendment).

Suggested Citation

McCalester, Jo Von Marie, A Poor State of Affairs: An Examination of the Conservative Attack on Welfare Recipients (October 14, 2011). NCOBPS 43rd Meeting Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1944235

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