Ronald Reagan created the “welfare queen” myth when he said, “She has eighty names, thirty addresses, twelve Social Security cards and is collecting veteran’s benefits on four non-existing deceased husbands. And she is collecting Social Security on her cards. She’s got Medicaid, getting food stamps, and she is collecting welfare under each of her names. Her tax-free cash income is over $150,000.”

Of course there never was such a person.  This was the beginning of the stereotyping of the poor, needy, and working-poor in America, especially among minorities.  TEApublicans have wanted to kill every aspect of The New Deal since it started.  But who are the real welfare queens?  Thom Hartmann explains in this amazing commentary. 




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