Traditionally in America, helping the poor was a matter for private charities or local governments. Arriving immigrants depended mainly on predecessors from their homeland to help them start a new life. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several European nations instituted public-welfare programs. But such a movement was slow to take hold in the United States because the rapid pace of industrialization and the ready availability of farmland seemed to confirm the belief that anyone who was willing to work could find a job.

   Most of the programs started during the Depression era were temporary relief measures, but one of the programs Social Security – has become an American institution. Paid for by deductions from the paychecks of working people, Social Security ensures that retired persons receive a modest monthly income and also provides unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and other assistance to those who need it. Social Security payments to retired persons can start at age 62, but many wait until age 65, when the payments are slightly higher. Recently, there has been concern that the Social Security fund may not have enough money to fulfill its obligations in the 21st century, when the population of elderly Americans is expected to increase dramatically. Policy makers have proposed various ways to make up the anticipated deficit, but a long-term solution is still being debated. In the years since Roosevelt, other American presidents have established assistance programs. These include Medicaid and Medicare; food stamps, certificates that people can use to purchase food; and public housing which is built at federal expense and made available to persons on low incomes. Needy Americans can also turn to sources other than the government for help. A broad spectrum of private charities and voluntary organizations is available. Volunteerism is on the rise in the United States, especially among retired persons. It is estimated that almost 50 percent of Americans over age 18 do volunteer work, and nearly 75 percent of U.S. households contribute money to charity.

Most of the public assistance programs ______ after the severe economic crisis.

Câu hỏi liên quan

• Which of the following is harmful according to the passage?

• Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?

• Why does the author refer to Gilbert White’s book in line 2?

ZUNIA12

• Which of the following pairs is INCORRECT?

• The word “splendors” in the passage could be best replaced by which of the following?

• The word "innovative" in line 1 could best be replaced by ...............

• The word “those” in paragraph 2 refers to __________.

• What is the main idea of the passage?

• The word “employers” in the passage refers to ..............

• According to the passage, all of the following are true EXCEPT ______.

• What is the most important purpose of the ozone layer?

• Sixty years ago, most women ____________.

• Greenhouse gases cause the warming up of the Earth because they ____.

• The word "contacts" in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to ..............

• What is the Pareto principle?

• How many orchid seeds are typically pollinated at one time?

• The word “it” refers to __________

• It can be inferred from the passage that after getting married, .............

• What form of street lighting was used in London when link boys used to work there?

• Which of the following is NOT true?