Sick and Tired

Last week’s post was prompted by the heartburn I experienced after Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly endorsed work requirements for public assistance recipients. The outcome was no surprise because the idea’s appeal is undeniable when it is put that way, stripped of all complexities. The language appearing on the ballot was misleading to the point of fraudulence.

My heart burns because no mention was made of the fact that this idea is already our state’s policy that for the most part does little except to the extent the policy does more harm than good. Voters weighing in on the topic changes nothing, not the policy, not its dismal effects.

Voters were not clued in to how the design of public assistance programs works at cross purposes with the concept that they heartily endorsed on April 4. The way these programs are structured actively disincentivizes work. Low-wage workers actually come out ahead by cutting back on their hours to stay eligible for benefits. Under the system that’s in pl…