A Disconnect by Ferraro on Welfare

Newly announced Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Geraldine Ferraro recently turned up on Don Imus’ radio talk show to discuss her electoral prospects. The former New York congresswoman movingly recounted her family history with special warmth about the benefits she derived from strong role models.

Her mother and grandmother had little education, said Ferraro, but they worked hard at various jobs and even took in sewing to support their families. Here’s the clincher, quoting Ferraro: “And they never asked anyone for a dime.”

While she is right to be proud of such a heritage, one can’t escape the conclusion that the irony in her words has eluded the senator wannabe. After all, until recently Ferraro loudly and proudly declaimed “from the left” on CNN’s “Crossfire.” And in 1984 she perfectly complemented the liberal’s liberal, Walter Mondale, on the Democratic presidential ticket.

Thus, there is a mental disconnect when hearing this Great Society groupie boast of her own family’s refusal to take handouts. Query: Isn’t what’s good for the goose equally good for the goose’s constituents?

Well, conversions do take place, and perhaps Ferraro and her fellow traveling statists will now take a harder look at welfare reform miracles taking place in every region of America. Across the nation, states are cutting back on their welfare caseloads-- by a massive 55% in Wisconsin, where vigorous applications of reforms have been a model for dramatic progress in Tennessee, Georgia and Florida as well.

Steven Hayward, writing in the Heritage Foundation’s “Policy Review,” concludes: “The magnitude and speed of the caseload reduction in these leading states has [sic] exceeded the expectations of even the most optimistic reformers.” Why? Not surprisingly, Hayward points to ending the disdain for the work ethic and a combination of three key features: requiring jobs immediately, imposing family caps (no increase in benefits for additional children) and shortening time limits that families can stay on welfare.

This government “tough love” is why Delaware has made exceptional progress in caging the welfare monster. Delaware just released a study by independent analysts on its ABC (A Better Chance) program. The Los Angeles Times reported a 6% caseload reduction in ABC’s first year--attained by imposing stiff requirements, applying strong pressures on recipients to take jobs and administering “swift financial punishment for failure to comply with new rules.”

One of those hustled off Delaware’s rolls is a 29-year-old woman who said: “It did seem like I was being rushed out the door. The pressure was on to find a job, to get out there in the work force . . . so it gave me a little more incentive to get out there faster.” In due time, she had a job paying a little more than $400 a week with full benefits. Amazing what “incentive” will do.

Here in Orange County, kudos are due those Santa Ana welfare workers who took their own initiative to set up a job center in their office. Reports are already coming back of success premised on the twin pillars of work and personal responsibility--and at no additional taxpayer expense.

Why the left obstructs this kind of hard-nosed change is an introduction into the bizarre workings of the liberal mind--an “E ticket” ride through a political twilight zone. Ferraro’s ambidextrous approach to this subject is not exceptional; it is representative.

So many of these social interventionists will, on the one hand, claim pride in their own self-reliance and praise the liberating spirit of hard work and independence. And why not? Allowing the winds of freedom to propel attainment and self-worth undergird the wonder of America.

On the other hand, for 60 years the liberal policies of their ilk have stifled in others the potential for similar achievement by fueling a culture of torpor and indolence. This worldview is based on what Gov. Pete Wilson calls the “worst form of false kindness”--the combination of political pandering and spiraling entitlements.

Still, it’s promising to witness the dramatic change taking place as common sense (and conservative) principles stir up hope for folks who for generations believed opportunity came only in a package with a government label an it.

If Ferraro modeled her campaign platform on the hard work and self-reliance that shaped her own life, incumbent Al D’Amato could be in trouble.

Nah--never happen.