Welfare Advertising

[stebo0728]

Ok, so I noticed a nifty little radio advertisement for SNAP today, the new food stamps program. Two questions arose:

1) Does taxpayer money fund these ads? If so, should they?

2) Do we even really want to advertise welfare? Do we want to have as many people as possible on welfare?

Ok so 1) I say no, based mostly on my reasoning for 2), which is: I dont like the idea of advertising welfare. For one, welfare is not a business, and welfare recipients are not customers. I dont mean that they should be treated disrespectfully in person. When already in house, standard customer interaction rules should apply. What I mean is that the goal of welfare should not be to reach out and get every possible eligible person on the program. Welfare is not a business struggling to stay alive based on how many recipients it has on the books. There's no sales goal to reach for the quarter. In fact, LOWER enrollment numbers should be the goal. Fewer recipients, and shorter enrollment duration should be the goal. If someone is struggling they have 2 options. Continue hoofing it on their own, or SEEK help. If they simply visit their local DCFS office, they can immediately find out what services and aids are available to them. Advertisement is not only NOT necessary, but counterproductive in my opinion. At best a public service announcement, very brief, to the tune of "Help is available, see your DCFS worker today." is about all that makes sense. The ad I heard was very "sales increase" driven. I'm continuing to search for a link so you can hear what I'm talking about. Anyone disagree? (I'm sure SOMEONE does!)

[srellim234]

I'm in favor of quick public service announcements for people to approach their local city hall to see what help is available. The people who truly need the help are, in general, not buying newspapers or would even know what a DCFS worker is let alone how to contact one. Most city halls have flyers or personnel who are looking out for the locals and will know where to send people for help.

I'm definitely not in favor of catchy advertising like it's a retail business.

[IBCoupe]

[stebo0728]

I'm in favor of quick public service announcements for people to approach their local city hall to see what help is available. The people who truly need the help are, in general, not buying newspapers or would even know what a DCFS worker is let alone how to contact one. Most city halls have flyers or personnel who are looking out for the locals and will know where to send people for help.

I'm definitely not in favor of catchy advertising like it's a retail business.

Ya Im pretty much the same. I can see the need for a PSA just so people know help is available, in general, and where to go to get it.

[stebo0728]

Not sure if liking catchy advertising, or agreeing with srellim and I.

[srellim234]

I took it to mean he's on our side.

[IBCoupe]

I'm okay with the advertising in general. It doesn't bother me in the least. I'm also okay if they stop. So, sure, I agree with you and Stebo, because you're somewhere between two things on a spectrum of stuff I'm okay with.