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Did Obama water down welfare-work requirements?

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    John Stossel investigates

  • Duration 4:52
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It's not a matter segment tonight when -- Obama took office 32 million Americans Ron footsteps now the numbers 47 million.

There are charges -- the Obama administration watts to get as many people as possible on the dole.

I think every game -- politics.

Weren't doing it's been getting serious blow over -- around.

Well I always -- or zero.

And that is that we are usually -- What it's.

OK okay -- We are put together a simple majority -- today -- -- Or.

Jobs.

We -- just -- to investigate whether or not welfare work requirements are being watered down by the Obama administration.

Perhaps for political reasons here -- Stossel the author of the big book.

Knoll.

-- can't.

Would you find out.

Well no they can't cure poverty but -- all there is no real evidence that there intentionally watering down the work standards the city while a lot of conservatives feel that way what what is it about the dictum that the president gave the states that -- upset the right.

What he did give this dictum which may or not may not be constitutional that says you don't have to Obey these earlier federal work requirements and the -- the law was passed some states were.

Sending people.

Two.

Cooler classes and things like that calling it -- -- calling him -- tighten up the rules and and it -- let me just -- -- stats here.

That Bill Clinton in 96.

There were 25 million Americans on food stamps in the Clinton administration after.

The -- welfare worker rules were tightened up.

Seventeen million -- -- -- dropped 8000033%.

Drop and the caseloads plummeted.

50%.

In the welfare arena after congress Newt Gingrich and and Bill Clinton -- I think there's there's an -- as it's wonderfully K votes a little -- We all agree that what they did in 96.

Was -- for the country for the poor for everybody we all -- you -- for poor people yes are.

So why -- earth what do you wanna watered that down he being President Obama why would you wanna do that because states want to experiment there and -- hallway where press.

Who cares whether states want to experiment.

If the federal law is working for the good of the country what -- -- care within Delaware or California.

Wants to do something differently why should I care.

Because over time none of these federal or state or local leader laws.

Work well I sent an intern out to these jobs senators to see what kind of help they gave.

They -- just directed -- -- handouts.

She's had to struggle to get help -- how can -- says we can do it better if you say the work well fear rules are lauded work how can stats say it did.

How can.

You save him for awhile -- we send a message five years you're off and you have to work a lot of women and say OK how many go move back in with mom and find the job and they found.

Gee I like working I feel good about myself not being the pen all right that help for awhile.

Over time the bureaucrats do what bureaucrats do they just say here more food stamps.

More this morning I you know -- -- indicates to me I think that the 1996 welfare work law.

Was a good law that help the country and that it is still in effect today by the way I'm Larry vault.

Are what's gone is this little dance that the president to sign an executive order.

Allowing the states to mess with it all right and I think that's horrible mistake when they make it better what -- with -- -- a good idea.

But you don't experiment with the taxpayer money.

You don't experiment -- that's what he did with Solyndra.

And 500 million dollars disappeared it was students can make it better.

All right then show me first.

-- -- -- -- -- -- Will do and experimental.

Seeing.

And then if it works will bring it to congress -- saying this might be better.

But right value of an explosion of entitlements all over in every area under this administration -- excuses.

There's a recession everybody would die if we didn't do it.

Are right now there's something to that but not to the extent they're making it but you seem to be enabling them stocks UC -- labeling them.

What we're already enabling them the feds are doing it.

If if you -- says we can do it better the law does say you pay for Andrew and I don't want my five year experiment.

And if you show improvement.

Will believe will make you a pilot program in Utah I think they can do a better that's why would -- With -- sneaky.

And that's what a wise executive order allowing across the board.

There -- -- debate as you define the top of the segment.

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