Great story: and also a good example of how to be an effective historian outside the university. nytimes.com/2019/05/17/opi… via @NYTOpinion

.@josh_levin writes that the Linda Taylor-inspired trope continues to haunt our politics, as elected officials claim that aid programs are plagued by fraud and call for food stamp recipients to be banned from purchasing “luxury” items like lobster

Just started @josh_levin’s new book on the notorious “welfare queen” Linda Taylor, and it’s spectacular. “The woman behind a pernicious and racist myth didn’t represent anyone or anything but her own striking criminal enterprise.” nytimes.com/2019/05/17/opi… pic.twitter.com/TfzbLyTrdp

Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Clinton, & Gingrich got political mileage out of snotty little lies about "Welfare Queens" who made a mockery of America's social safety net. Here's the actual story of Linda Taylor, the original "welfare queen."

Opinion | How the ‘Welfare Queen’ Was Born - The New York Times