Ethical Issues

Should Society have to pay for the welfare of the less unfortunate? Many people would argue that society should not have to pay for the welfare of the poor; as everyone is presumably held responsible for their own actions. However, the assistance to the needy helps to keep our country stable. Without the help, many individuals in society would face extreme poverty. The social ladder would crumble, and those who were once considered under class, would be facing serious deprivation. Moreover when society pays for the welfare of the less unfortunate, they are potentially helping themselves. Consider Beth, an individual who is employed at a firm for twenty years. Beth pays her taxes, which in return helps to pay for the welfare of the less unfortunate. Then unexpectedly, the firm that Beth is working for goes out of business. Within the last six months, Beth has not been employed. Beth must file for unemployment. Beth considers that society is helping to pay for her welfare assistance. My point is not that we should downgrade those who are welfare assistance, but that we should look at welfare assistance as a support in becoming self-sufficient. Ideally, once Beth finds employment, she will return to society as a hard working individual. Despite this, many people claim that those who are on welfare assistance are lazy and uneducated, however that can be considered false, as for the example stated above. According to Current Issues 2010 in “Welfare Reform,” “the signed act was a strong message to the poor that the government would only help them if they were willing to help themselves” (1). As this shows that, America stands for the welcoming land of opportunity, so it is ultimately up to us and our government to pick up our fellow citizens when they have fallen behind.

Should the poor be held responsible for their actions? As you know, the welfare applicants who test positive for illegal drugs suffer the consequence of being denied welfare assistance. However to what extent, is this beneficial? None, as struggling families suffer more when there is no help. Instead, those who test positive for illegal drugs should get the appropriate support they need. By this I mean, the necessary treatment to get off of drugs, without abusing the welfare system.

"Welfare Reform." Current Issues: Macmillan Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.