Did Compassionate Conservatism Kill Welfare Reform?

Marvin Olasky joins Eric and Noah this week to discuss his feature essay in the new Fall 2023 issue of RELIGION & LIBERTY, entitled “The Thrill and Chill of Compassionate Conservatism,” in which Marvin revisits two of his books: The Tragedy of American Compassion (1990) and Compassionate Conservatism (1999). What has transpired in terms of poverty intervention and amelioration on the federal, state, and local levels since their publication and the welfare reforms of the 1990s? Where are we doing now to address effectively issues of poverty in America? How has conservatism itself, and its expression through the Republican Party, changed since the compassionate conservatism days of George W. Bush’s first term? Next, the guys examine Sen. Josh Hawley’s proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 18%. How many unintended consequences would this produce if it were enacted? And finally, the headlines about a Canadian study on cash transfers claim it “debunks stereotypes of homeless people’s spending habits” and that cash transfers “reduce homelessness” and will supposedly enable them to save money. Are they sure about that?
Subscribe to our podcasts
The Thrill and Chill of Compassionate Conservatism | Marvin Olasky, Religion & Liberty
Subscribe to Religion & Liberty and get 4 issues for $29.99/year
The Law of Conservation of Welfare—And What Energy Source Can Transform It | Marvin Olasky @ Acton University 2023‘
Americans are being crushed’: Sen. Josh Hawley wants to cap credit card APR at 18%—here’s his plan to help ‘working people’ | Yahoo Finance
Unconditional cash transfers reduce homelessness | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Payday Loans and Predatory Politicians | Eric Kohn, Foundation for Economic Education

Marvin Olasky joins Eric and Noah this week to discuss his feature essay in the new Fall 2023 issue of RELIGION & LIBERTY, entitled “The Thrill and Chill of Compassionate Conservatism,” in which Marvin revisits two of his books: The Tragedy of American Compassion (1990) and Compassionate Conservatism (1999). What has transpired in terms of poverty intervention and amelioration on the federal, state, and local levels since their publication and the welfare reforms of the 1990s? Where are we doing now to address effectively issues of poverty in America? How has conservatism itself, and its expression through the Republican Party, changed since the compassionate conservatism days of George W. Bush’s first term? Next, the guys examine Sen. Josh Hawley’s proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 18%. How many unintended consequences would this produce if it were enacted? And finally, the headlines about a Canadian study on cash transfers claim it “debunks stereotypes of homeless people’s spending habits” and that cash transfers “reduce homelessness” and will supposedly enable them to save money. Are they sure about that?

Subscribe to our podcasts

The Thrill and Chill of Compassionate Conservatism | Marvin Olasky, Religion & Liberty

Subscribe to Religion & Liberty and get 4 issues for $29.99/year

The Law of Conservation of Welfare—And What Energy Source Can Transform It | Marvin Olasky @ Acton University 2023‘

Americans are being crushed’: Sen. Josh Hawley wants to cap credit card APR at 18%—here’s his plan to help ‘working people’ | Yahoo Finance

Unconditional cash transfers reduce homelessness | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Payday Loans and Predatory Politicians | Eric Kohn, Foundation for Economic Education