Michael Synar

What we are concerned about is that the building of orphanages and group housing and tearing families apart is counterproductive to the family values we think both parties stand for. How do you justify the building of orphanages and group…

I described the philosophy of the Republicans earlier as really the party that wants to cut people off. I think the Democratic Party represents the party of prevention and trying to prevent welfare in the beginning. That is why our party…

Yes, we do require work, in many of the proposals that the Democrats propose. Mr. DeLAY. If you encourage it and they don't work and there are jobs available, what kind of sanctions do you bring against the welfare recipient?

So all elderly who get Medicaid by the Republican definition are on welfare. Mr. DeLAY. It is means tested. Those that are poor, elderly, that receive Medicaid, not Medicare, are on welfare. So you don't consider-- let me get this…

No, it does not go to welfare recipients. Seventy percent of the Medicaid budget goes to the elderly and disabled. Do you consider them welfare?

If the gentleman would allow me, if only a third of the welfare recipients get housing, if 70 percent of Medicaid goes to disabled and elderly, to claim them as welfare is not correct.

I think the basic difference between the Republican approach and the Democratic approach that we are talking about tonight is that you would cut people off. We want to build for the future through work, 2 years is inflexible. We believe…

Recognizing that the gentleman and I agree that we have better enforcement, I think the gentleman would also agree that if you have simply a debit, you move yourself right back into the category of your opening statement, which is slavery…