Welfare Reform, Community Charity and Immigration

There are strong voices, though few, in the immigration reform debate who posit that until we get realistic welfare reforms in place - the kind that get people who can work back on the work rolls - we can't begin to address the unique problem of illegal immigration by Mexicans.

But what about charity organizations? L and I have been on the board of a local charity, ECHO, which manages a great deal of money for the Janesville-Beloit area needy. Do such programs draw people to areas, even if they work the way ECHO does, counseling people toward financial independence and productive work and spending habits?

Many of the responses to the needy and homeless in San Francisco, our old stomping grounds, backfired because they drew many more needy people in search of hope, along with many in search of a hand out.

Are our social safety nets perpetuating acute social problems?

CP @ GMC.