EPISODE · Jun 5, 2026 · 1H 2M
Rethinking America’s Social Welfare Programs: Clarence Carter on Empowering the Vulnerable and Curbing Fraud
from We Are The Government · host Dipka Hesse
In this episode of We Are The Government, Clarence H. Carter, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services, discusses with host Dipka Hesse how America’s safety net of social welfare programs enables, does not empower, the country’s most vulnerable–the elderly and the impoverished. About half of the U.S. federal budget is dedicated to social welfare programs that do not address or help eliminate the root cause of the vulnerability. Drawing on decades of experience in federal, state and local government, Carter explains why he believes the nation’s safety net should be redesigned around a clearer goal: helping vulnerable Americans build capacity, increase self-sufficiency and move beyond dependency whenever possible.Carter provides a unique view of social program reform, and the impact of leaving millions of people dependent on government assistance indefinitely, without a path to their independence. Carter describes how President Bill Clinton’s Welfare Reform Law became the scaffolding for the Bush and Trump administrations, where he served in both as an expert in social program management, reform and policy. Carter shares anecdotes from his bestselling book, Our Net Has Holes In It, which also addresses the flaws and opportunities in U.S. foreign aid policy. The conversation explores:Why the current safety net is made up of disconnected programsHow federal and state governments share responsibility for administering benefitsLessons from welfare reform efforts in Virginia and TennesseeThe role of SNAP and other public assistance programsFraud prevention, oversight and accountabilityThis podcast is produced as a time capsule for America's 250th anniversary, preserving the stories and contributions of those who have helped build our Republic.Host/Executive Producer: Dipka Hesse X: @DBHesseLinkedIn: linkedin.com/dipkabhambhaniYouTube: @theenergyodyssey Thank you to our great team who helped make this episode possible. A special thanks to Mathew John for his creative counsel and support, without which this wouldn’t be possible.Executive Producer: Richard Taliaferro ([email protected])Graphic Artist: David Zerba ([email protected])Editor: Axel Soderland ([email protected])#SocialSafetyNet #WelfareReform #PublicPolicy #SNAP #Elderly #SocialSecurity #Medicare #Medicaid #FraudPrevention #FraudTaskForce #EconomicMobility #FederalGovernment #Tennessee #Arizona #Virginia #WeAreTheGovernment
What this episode covers
In this episode of We Are The Government, Clarence H. Carter, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services, discusses with host Dipka Hesse how America’s safety net of social welfare programs enables, does not empower, the country’s most vulnerable–the elderly and the impoverished. About half of the U.S. federal budget is dedicated to social welfare programs that do not address or help eliminate the root cause of the vulnerability. Drawing on decades of experience in federal, state and local government, Carter explains why he believes the nation’s safety net should be redesigned around a clearer goal: helping vulnerable Americans build capacity, increase self-sufficiency and move beyond dependency whenever possible.Carter provides a unique view of social program reform, and the impact of leaving millions of people dependent on government assistance indefinitely, without a path to their independence. Carter describes how President Bill Clinton’s Welfare Reform Law became the scaffolding for the Bush and Trump administrations, where he served in both as an expert in social program management, reform and policy. Carter shares anecdotes from his bestselling book, Our Net Has Holes In It, which also addresses the flaws and opportunities in U.S. foreign aid policy. The conversation explores:Why the current safety net is made up of disconnected programsHow federal and state governments share responsibility for administering benefitsLessons from welfare reform efforts in Virginia and TennesseeThe role of SNAP and other public assistance programsFraud prevention, oversight and accountabilityThis podcast is produced as a time capsule for America's 250th anniversary, preserving the stories and contributions of those who have helped build our Republic.Host/Executive Producer: Dipka Hesse X: @DBHesseLinkedIn: linkedin.com/dipkabhambhaniYouTube: @theenergyodyssey Thank you to our great team who helped make this episode possible. A special thanks to Mathew John for his creative counsel and support, without which this wouldn’t be possible.Executive Producer: Richard Taliaferro ([email protected])Graphic Artist: David Zerba ([email protected])Editor: Axel Soderland ([email protected])#SocialSafetyNet #WelfareReform #PublicPolicy #SNAP #Elderly #SocialSecurity #Medicare #Medicaid #FraudPrevention #FraudTaskForce #EconomicMobility #FederalGovernment #Tennessee #Arizona #Virginia #WeAreTheGovernment
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Rethinking America’s Social Welfare Programs: Clarence Carter on Empowering the Vulnerable and Curbing Fraud
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