I'm Pete du Pont with the National Center for Policy Analysis. I lauded the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 as long overdue. But I found myself on the same side as some liberal critics of welfare reform. And I still do, because we've only gone halfway in reforming welfare.
We haven't touched corporate welfare.
You've heard about the extra money you pay because sugar companies continue to get federal subsidies. Now the news is out about steel. According to a report from the American Institute For International Steel, Americans paid $46 billion to $76 billion extra for steel over the past 30 years because of trade rules that limit competition. Big steel companies have forced governments to buy domestic steel at prices 25 percent higher than available foreign steel. Current steel demand is outstripping domestic capacity, but domestic manufacturers are claiming foreign companies are dumping cheap steel in the U.S. market, and are demanding even more restrictions. Sugar, steel, business subsidies are a bad idea.
Welfare's welfare, whoever's on the receiving end. And we still pay for it.
Those are my ideas, and at the NCPA we know ideas can change the world. I'm Pete du Pont. Next time, summer reading.