[Nathans_Dad]

When did I take a swipe at you Rodeo? I don't recall that, sorry if it came across that way.

My specific problem with welfare is that it is still a system that gives increased entitlements for having multiple children, a fatherless home and penalizes you for finding a minimum wage job. The Reform bill of 1996 took a good first step and was 100% better than the old system, but still didn't do enough. I also think that 5 years is way too long. That's enough time to get a Bachelor's degree at any major university (even if you screw off for a year). I would think 2 years would be more appropriate.

I agree the Republicans haven't moved on this, but welfare is also dwarfed right now by the war on terror/war in Iraq. Both sides are so caught up in name calling and fingerpointing that the domestic agenda has been put on the very back burner. After we get out of Iraq I think you will see these issues come back to the forefront.

One final point: I agree that Clinton deserves credit for helping get the reform bill through. However, I think a little history is in order. The first version of a welfare reform bill was introduced in 1995 as H.R. 4 as part of the first "Contract with America" congress. Clinton vetoed this bill at the urging of NOW and other left wing agencies. He then ran for re-election in 1996 and won with part of his platform being welfare reform. Soon thereafter another bill was offered that was largely identical to the one Clinton vetoed. He signed it this time and proclaimed he had fixed welfare. Now, if I were a conspiracy theorist (or maybe just a realist about how things work in Washington), I would say that Clinton saw the reform coming down the pike and decided to jump on board instead of fight it again. Kudos to him, a great political move.