Question 1

Poor families pay a higher percentage of their incomes in state sales taxes than well-to-do families.

Accepted Answer

State sales taxes are regressive, meaning that they take a higher percentage of income from low-income families than from high-income families. This is because low-income families spend a larger proportion of their income on taxable goods and services, while high-income families are more likely to save or invest their money. Therefore, sales taxes can exacerbate income inequality by placing a heavier burden on those who can least afford it.

Question 2

The scope of social benefits in the U.S.is far less than in most Western democracies.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. has a more limited social welfare system compared to many other developed nations, with fewer benefits such as universal healthcare, paid parental leave, and extensive unemployment benefits.

Question 3

Transfer payments are benefits given directly to individuals,either cash transfers like Social Security or in-kind transfers such as food stamps.

Accepted Answer

Transfer payments are indeed benefits given directly to individuals, either in the form of cash transfers (such as Social Security) or in-kind transfers (such as food stamps).

Question 4

The president who led the country to "end welfare as we know it" was George W.Bush.

Accepted Answer

The president who led the country to "end welfare as we know it" was actually Bill Clinton, with the passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act in 1996. George W. Bush was president from 2001-2009.

Question 5

Americans generally indicate that they favor increasing government spending on social welfare policies more than they favor increasing spending on priorities such as education.

Accepted Answer

According to surveys and public opinion polls, Americans generally indicate that they favor increasing government spending on education more than they favor increasing spending on social welfare policies.

Question 6

The average recipient family received about $1,000 per month on TANF.

Accepted Answer

The national average monthly TANF benefit for a family of three in 2019 was about $460. Benefits can vary widely depending on state policies and individual circumstances.

Question 7

The president who declared a "War on Poverty" was Ronald Reagan.

Accepted Answer

The "War on Poverty" was declared by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, not Ronald Reagan.

Question 8

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 implemented Temporary Assistance for Needy Families,replacing Aid to Families with Dependent Children as the program for public assistance to needy families.

Accepted Answer

The statement correctly describes the implementation of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and the replacement of Aid to Families with Dependent Children with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Question 9

Progressive taxes take a smaller bite from the incomes of the rich than from those of the poor.

Accepted Answer

Progressive taxes are designed to take a larger percentage of income from high-income earners than from low-income earners, meaning they take a bigger "bite" from the rich.

Question 10

Most social scientists believe that the official poverty count actually overestimates the number of individuals who are living in poverty.

Accepted Answer

Most social scientists actually believe that the official poverty count underestimates the number of individuals who are living in poverty. This is because the official poverty measure does not take into account certain factors such as regional differences in cost of living, non-cash government benefits, and certain expenses like medical costs and childcare expenses.

Question 11

A majority of Americans believe that the poor could escape poverty if they worked hard enough.

Accepted Answer

According to a 2019 Pew Research Center survey, 60% of Americans believe that most people can get ahead if they are willing to work hard. However, there is significant disagreement based on political affiliation, race, and income level.

Question 12

Social Security is officially named Old Age,Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI).

Accepted Answer

Social Security is officially named Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI).

Question 13

While the number of Social Security contributors is growing slowly,the number of Social Security recipients is growing rapidly.

Accepted Answer

This is true as the number of baby boomers reaching retirement age is increasing and life expectancy is also increasing, leading to a larger number of Social Security recipients. However, the growth in the number of contributors is not keeping pace with the growth in the number of recipients.

Question 14

Benefits given by the government directly to individuals are called transfer payments.

Accepted Answer

Transfer payments are payments made by the government to individuals without any expectation of goods or services in return. Examples include social security benefits, welfare payments, and unemployment benefits.

Question 15

More than one-half of all Americans between 25 and 75 will spend at least one year of their life in poverty.

Accepted Answer

According to a study by the Urban Institute, 54% of Americans between the ages of 25 and 75 will experience poverty or near-poverty (defined as income below 150% of the poverty line) for at least one year. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 16

Low-interest college loans are an example of in-kind benefits.

Accepted Answer

Low-interest college loans are an example of in-kind benefits because they provide students with a valuable service (access to education) at a reduced cost, rather than giving them money directly.

Question 17

What is the difference between an entitlement and a means-tested program? Provide examples of each.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between an entitlement...

Question 18

A sales tax is a progressive tax.

Accepted Answer

A sales tax is considered a regressive tax because it takes a larger percentage of income from low-income earners than from high-income earners.

Question 19

Social welfare policies have fueled the growth of government since the 1930s.

Accepted Answer

Social welfare policies, such as the New Deal programs in the 1930s and the subsequent expansion of the welfare state in the 1960s, have led to increased government involvement and the growth of government agencies and programs. These policies provide public assistance and social services to individuals and families in need, but also require significant government funding and administration.

Question 20

Female-headed households have a 30 percent greater chance of being poor than non-female-headed households.

Accepted Answer

Female-headed households, especially those with children, often face more economic challenges and have fewer opportunities for income generation, leading to a higher likelihood of poverty compared to non-female-headed households.

Quiz 16: Social Welfare Policymaking