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Author to discuss his plan to end the welfare state

April 26, 2006 By Dennis Chaptman

Charles Murray, author of “In Our Hands: A Plan to Replace the Welfare State,” will visit the University of Wisconsin–Madison on Friday, May 5, to discuss his idea to end all government welfare programs and instead provide an annual cash grant of $10,000 to everyone age 21 or older.

The Institute for Research on Poverty is sponsoring the event, which will be held from 12:15-1:30 p.m. in Room 8417 of the Social Science Building, 1180 Observatory Drive. The event is free and open to the public.

Murray is the W.H. Brady Scholar in Culture and Freedom at the American Enterprise Institute. His previous books include “Losing Ground,” “In Pursuit,” “What It Means to Be a Libertarian,” and “Human Accomplishment.” Murray also co-authored the controversial book “The Bell Curve” with Richard J. Herrnstein in 1994.

In his latest book, Murray proposes eliminating a myriad of government programs – including programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, welfare and corporate subsidies.

In their place, he says the annual cash grants would empower people to control their own lives. In his book, Murray discusses the effect of the plan on Americans’ retirement, health care, poverty, marriage and family, work, neighborhoods and society.

Responding to Murray’s presentation will be Robert Haveman, UW–Madison professor emeritus of economics and public affairs.

The seminar will be the first of a series that will address some of the larger social welfare and research issues that the institute confronts as it marks its 40th anniversary.