One of the great triumphs of the federal welfare reform legislation passed in the mid-1990s was an insistence…
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To Get More Federal Money, States Claiming Volunteer Organizations are a Form of Welfare Spending

One of the great triumphs of the federal welfare reform legislation passed in the mid-1990s was an insistence that states lay down tough work requirements for welfare recipients as a condition of receiving federal assistance. Though the fact is little publicized, however, another provision of the law allows states to substitute increased welfare spending for the work requirements and still receive money from Washington. That, of course, is an invitation to mischief, as reported by CNSnews, quoting Congressman Geoff Davis

"Many States have scoured their budgets to find other current program spending--such as for Pre-K, child care, and after school programs--they could report as TANF [welfare] spending," Davis said at a hearing on Thursday. "Others began counting third-party spending--…[more]

May 22, 2012 • 12:28 pm

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Living Social(ist): Alerting America to Dumb Government Policies Print
By CFIF Staff
Thursday, September 02 2010

Act Now: Congress and Obama Want Preferential Tax Treatment for Foreign-Owned Energy Producers

CFIF has released a Living Social(ist): Bad Deal Alert, a new take on the trendy deal-of-the-day email coupon services exploding in popularity across the country. Instead of offering half-priced chocolate spa baths or $1 admissions to your local petting zoo, we highlight a truly foolish idea currently being considered by President Obama and Congress.

This particular "coupon" – which is being offered to foreign, mostly state-owned energy producers like Hugo Chavez’s Citgo – calls attention to a dubious new tax hike in the president’s proposed 2011 budget. It’s a great deal for foreign competitors as it would double-tax domestic oil and gas producers on money earned overseas, leaving foreign-owned companies with a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Plus, it comes with the added benefit of limiting America’s access to energy resources that fuel our economy, provide 9 million domestic jobs and ensure our access to affordable energy. 

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We hope this humorous take on a serious issue will inspire readers to join CFIF in opposing this job-killing proposal.

Remember, by doing away with the credit for dual capacity taxes for America’s oil and gas industry, Congress and the president would effectively be handing jobs, revenue and investment to foreign and mostly state-owned oil companies in Venezuela, China and the Middle East. And it would reduce America’s energy independence and security, while raising energy prices for American families.   

Contact your representatives in Congress now. Tell them “NO” to preferential tax treatment for foreign oil, “NO” to changes in the dual capacity tax laws. 

And, please help us spread the word by sharing this with your friends, colleagues and family members.

Question of the Week   
Which one of the following men did the Chicago Tribune describe as: “a bullheaded man whose high place … was won by his ability to waste more money in quicker time on more absurd undertakings?”
More Questions
Quote of the Day   
 
"This week Catholic bishops are heading to federal courts across the country to defend religious liberty. On Monday they filed 12 lawsuits on behalf of a diverse group of 43 Catholic entities that are challenging the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) sterilization, abortifacient and birth-control insurance mandate. ...  The main goal of the mandate is not, as HHS claimed, to protect…[more]
 
 
—Mary Ann Glendon, Harvard Law School Professor
— Mary Ann Glendon, Harvard Law School Professor
 
Liberty Poll   

Should the Obama administration authorize the use of aerial drones by local police agencies?