Why do we reward Failure & Bad Behavior?

Sixty years ago our government "discovered" that over 60% of Black and minorities were living in poverty, and under-performing in schools.  "The Great Society" was formed; it gave money to those minorities that were living in poverty and under-performing in schools, and it provided financial assistance for and access to low cost housing.

That has continued, virtually unabated, to the present.  Failure was rewarded.

Consider what might be the case today should all of that money have been provided to and rewarded the over 30% that WERE achieving and succeeding.  What if those who were failing saw that the path to success and reward was to maintain a family, learn in school, work after school, and gain degrees (High School, Junior College, College and advanced degrees) that would insure the financial assets to provide their children with better housing, better education, and the opportunity to more fully enjoy the fruits of success?

Many suspect that the government's choice to reward failure was purposeful:  it attracted votes (and therefore re-election) for the politicians; it reduced the appearance of poverty; it also made those receiving government funds dependent on the continuation of those funds, as they didn't come with job training or improved education.  The result was what could reasonably be seen as a continued "plantation dependence" on the government for both direction and subsistence, supporting an almost slave like acceptance of government direction and control for supporting a subsistence level of living.

And as whole industries sprung up to distribute government funds and service agencies, there actually grew a disincentive to improve the lot of the poor, as it would eliminate the jobs and power of those agencies.  As time went by there was less and less inclination on the part of those administering these policies to suggest attacking the cause of poverty rather than ameliorate the symptoms.  Except for a few organizations working to reward achievement, there is little acknowledgment of this long term failure.

This needs to change.

And it is possible that the nation would benefit from abandoning the statistical fascination with Race and possible switch to focusing on "foot size" or even "hair color" as a means of determining who may be discriminated against.  Or...if logic ever prevails...perhaps we could focus on achievement and/or motivation?

Considering the state of the nation today, I'd even accept using "civility" as a basis for job and benefit qualification...or, in the case of reporters, "truth."