with. Many middle class Americans changed their views to that of a more conservative matter in reaction to the Vietnam War, inner city rioting, inflation, and the “anti-establishment” movement. Welfare reform measures were introduced but not passed, and Nixon’s Family Assistance Plan (FAP) would have eliminated public assistance programs altogether.During the late 70’s social welfare costs were increasing and problems relating to addressing the needs of the poor continued. Welfare reforms continued to be debated but no real changes were made in the system. President Carter had an idea about a new welfare reform program that increased public service jobs and established earned income tax credit programs for the poor; sadly this program was not implemented.During the Reagan-Bush years there were many cutbacks, Reagan’s first response to social welfare was to get rid of many programs. However, his attempt to shift the financial and administrative responsibility for the Food Stamp and AFDC programs to the states failed to because of lack of congressional support. Congress passed the Family Support Act in 1988; it mandated that “states provide job training and support for most AFDC recipients” to reduce the welfare rolls. Also, those who found jobs received childcare assistance and health insurance for up to one year after employment was gained. Parts of this act were not put into effect until 1992.During the Clinton years, both supporters and opponents of government’s role in the provision of services to the poor agreed that “welfare as we know it” was not effective. During his first term, President Clinton tried unsuccessfully to start a health care reform. He reasoned that health problems and lack of affordable health care were barriers for many of the AFDC recipients to get off welfare. Clinton also wanted the states to play a wider role in the design of federal welfa...
