​We know the solution to poverty . . .

Kansas Reduced Poverty by Requiring Work for Food Stamps

. . . all that stands in the way are the progressives who wish to keep the poor on the plantation.

"Over the past several years, the number of Americans on food stamps has soared. In particular, since 2009, the number of “able-bodied-adults” without dependents receiving food stamps more than doubled nationally. Part of this increase is due to a federal rule that allowed states to waive food stamps’ modest work requirement. However, states such as Kansas and Maine chose to reinstate work requirements. Comparing and contrasting the two approaches provides powerful new evidence about the effectiveness of work.

According to a report from the Foundation for Government Accountability, before Kansas instituted a work requirement, 93 percent of food stamp recipients were in poverty, with 84 percent in severe poverty. Few of the food stamp recipients claimed any income. Only 21 percent were working at all, and two-fifths of those working were working fewer than 20 hours per week.

Once work requirements were established, thousands of food stamp recipients moved into the workforce, promoting income gains and a decrease in poverty. Forty percent of the individuals who left the food stamp ranks found employment within three months, and about 60 percent found employment within a year. They saw an average income increase of 127 percent. Half of those who left the rolls and are working have earnings above the poverty level. Even many of those who stayed on food stamps saw their income increase significantly."

Shocking! To hear the progressives, any amount of work would be horrible for the poor. It would sap their self image, destroy their ability to work and force them permanently onto welfare. 

Except that is not what happens. Instead, the poor become more prosperous, and wealthier, and ultimately have the ability to leave the ranks of the impoverished.

Don't expect the progressives to agree with this or pursue these policies, they like the poor being kept on the plantation. Votes don'tchaknow.