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What makes welfare reform work?

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    Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson explains

  • Duration 5:59
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This transcript is automatically generated

Joining me now.

Is here.

Architects of welfare reform.

Former health and human services secretary under George W.

Bush former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson he's now running for of the United States senate in his home state.

And full disclosure I've endorsed governor Thompson's senate campaign.

Four a lot of the reasons that I just shared with you thank you -- -- governor -- again.

Right at the heart of this issue.

You helped to create.

The welfare reform movement -- actually pioneering and in Wisconsin.

Trying out the things that ended up working other governor said we like to do that too.

Now we're seeing an attempt by the Obama administration.

To make changes -- -- should first speak what is the heart.

Of what makes welfare reform work.

The fact that people have to get up in the morning.

Go to work.

And be able to get themselves out of poverty I always told people you can't get out of poverty by not working.

And the welfare mothers responded in the state of Wisconsin they -- all across the country.

But it was always the responsibility.

For them.

They had they have some skin in the game we would continue to provide for help for them and assistance but they had to get up.

Look for a job.

-- lauding get a job and work in you know something they were happier.

They got out of poverty unemployment went down and the people that were on welfare said thank you.

Finally some people are listening and given me a hand up instead of a handout and I appreciate it.

Well governor there's new proposal the Obama administration says that they're gonna let states have a waiver.

Other words they don't have to fulfill these work requirements anymore I -- to get your reaction to that.

I'm absolutely indignant about it as you are Mike.

And all the other individuals -- work so hard because we know what's wrong headed.

We know that the unemployment goes down when people are working we know that individuals get out of poverty when their work.

And this to me is just an -- so slap in the face to those people that are on welfare because we're saying you at all.

We just want you to stay there and you're gonna be able then to vote for us to continue an office and handled things whenever we feel like it.

That is not the American way the American way is there.

Be able to get up in the morning.

Put on your boots or whatever it is your work clothes and go -- -- and be able to contribute to society that's what makes America so much better than any other country.

And crush -- Obama and Kathryn Sebelius just doesn't understand that when they introduced a rule.

That's going to emasculated.

The independence and the opportunity for poor people to get ahead tell me it's absolutely wrong -- -- -- -- bit.

-- -- -- You you know the governor.

I think -- -- across America you actually served in addition to being the governor that created the the movement.

You also where they -- health and human services secretary.

I'm wondering does the HHS secretary have the right legally.

To overturn what is a statutory requirement in the welfare reform bill signed by President Clinton.

Is that something that can be waived by the secretary.

You can only waive it under 1115 which is a Social Security waiver power -- -- absolutely given to the secretary to do it.

Under the welfare law that -- -- that was passed -- first vetoed by Bill Clinton.

Then sign in now it takes credit for saying this is one of the greatest accomplishments of this administration.

-- there's -- all our opportunity to -- but.

And so the secretary of health and human services I believe.

Its act and ultra virus outside the scope of authority of the law and I really think it's a mistake and I think somebody.

Is definitely gonna bring a lawsuit and have -- nobody else's and I will be able to say that the secretary of health and human services does Matt -- the authority.

And responsibility.

To -- something that's similar stature that doesn't give the secretary.

Absolute discretion to do so I really believe it's ultra virus which means outside the scope -- authority.

The Obama administration has try to claim that this just give states flexibility.

You and I both know having been governors that's total nonsense this is not a president who is done one thing to give states flexibility.

And this case.

It actually.

Removes the most powerful part of welfare reform by insisting on a worker education requirement to continue to get benefits.

It to me it's almost like the mafia chieftain demanding a tribute.

These folks who want to make sure.

That people have to pay something into the government in order to get their benefits back -- to be given protection.

I'm repulsed by you've said you're repulsed by what we do to change it -- -- that we make Americans understand.

How big a change this would be.

-- air and on top of that governor.

We're borrowing money from China 38 cents out of every dollar in order to contribute to this program and now we're -- -- You're not gonna have to work they're going to be -- stay at home just like he used to be able to and nobody really wants that you know something that nobody -- Governor has introduced legislation to go back to the old AFDC because they know -- failed and now they're trying to say we're gonna circumvent it in order probably.

You know you said -- you know mafia -- I say it's -- -- politician to get votes sure votes be able to say you know.

You don't have to work so -- sport -- it I think it's wrong -- I'm repulsed by it and I think what we have to do is start a lawsuit but most importantly we have to elect people.

The public office that really believe in the individual.

And be able to believe that individuals make a difference in -- they can make it on their own the government does not have to do everything for them.

Okay thank you very much -- I'm god that we can talk because nobody knows more about this entire process then then you do thank you for being with us.

Thank you must.

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