It's over... The balance has tipped and the welfare state has won... For now...

109,631,000 Americans lived in households that received benefits from one or more federally funded "means-tested programs" — also known as welfare — as of the fourth quarter of 2012, according to data released Tuesday by the Census Bureau.

...

When those receiving benefits from non-means-tested federal programs — such as Social Security, Medicare, unemployment and veterans benefits — were added to those taking welfare benefits, it turned out that 153,323,000 people were getting federal benefits of some type at the end of 2012.

www.cnsnews.com...

There's no doubt that this dependent class has done nothing but increase in size since 2012. The only thing that will end this socialist bloat is it's eventual collapse under it's own weight when there are too few people actually working and producing to tax and prop up this horrific blight. This government hand out dependence may ensure socialist victories over the next few election cycles, but may spell the end of our once great republic.

I see little hope of correcting this political malfeasance and saving this great, no, this extraordinary experiment that was ingeniously crafted and corrupted by graft and misguided largesse... The disease is set to run it's course now that critical mass has been reached..

There are cities and counties garemteeing their h.s. graduates a college education for free. That's a damn good start.

When the federal govt was proud to make a profit off of our student loans you should have paid attention.

Education of the people for employment means less need for assisting them later.

Yet the balance of wealth is clearly the other way. The vast majority of wealth is controlled by very small number of people.

I do believe a strong argument can be made that this inequality of wealth is forcing more people to rely on welfare. We (the US) live in a society where one can work a full-time job and still be eligible for welfare benefits based on income.

Blaming poor people for the inequality of wealth is exactly what the puppet masters want YOU to do!

Our current system is setup to reward bad behavior.

Sitting at home collecting a check, and not doing anything to better your situation is bad behavior.

This is a system that is fueled by politicians who don't really care about the people that are on social aid, but just care about their vote - and how loud their voice can be.

The politicians who promote welfare to those who don't need it are only enabling them to hurt their self and their people further.

Without them, the whole US would now be Ferguson, so take your pick.

originally posted by: jrod
Yet the balance of wealth is clearly the other way. The vast majority of wealth is controlled by very small number of people.

I do believe an strong argument can be made that this inequality of wealth is forcing more people to rely on welfare. We (the US) live in a society where one can work a full-time job and still be eligible for welfare benefits based on income.

Blaming poor people for the inequality of wealth is exactly what the puppet masters want YOU to do!

And those select few are usually hard working people.

Say what you would like, but I've known more than one billionaire, and been to their house. This is not an exaggeration - but truth. They work non stop, even the things they buy for personal use are considered investments.

They have that much wealth because they are smart and make good business decisions.

Some people can paint perfect pictures as a natural talent, others just understand economics - they are the rich ones.

a reply to: Mirthful Me

I take issue with your source. It threw veteran's benefits in there. Veteran's benefits are earned through the soldier's enlistment and are owed to the person. It's not a benefit it's a damn obligation!

When those receiving benefits from non-means-tested federal programs — such as Social Security, Medicare, unemployment and veterans benefits — were added to those taking welfare benefits, it turned out that 153,323,000 people were getting federal benefits of some type at the end of 2012.

***redacted*** The article subtracts veteran's benefits from the final total at the end of the article.

This is what happens when you allow the elite to buy the government and then create conditions that allows them to profit off the poor. Capitalism is what caused this mess not Socialism. Seeing how the minimum wage has been virtually stagnant since the 80's and has not even kept up with the standard of living increases it is no surprise that more people are on government aid in one way or another. Companies keep crying we can't afford to pay workers more while upper management wages keep going through the roof. But as usual you will have people blaming the poor for this and say nothing about those who profit from it.

a reply to: MentorsRiddle

The vast majority of people that collect welfare do work, ya know. Our jobs are not paying good wages anymore, the prices on everything is higher, we have corporations that nickle and dime the people at every turn and we have a government that taxes us, sends our money overseas as foreign aid and spends the majority of our money on war.

I don't think the people are the problem here. We need to go back to the sort of capitalistic society our forefathers wanted in which the corporations and banks were very tightly regulated and the minute they pulled some shenanigans.....they were done.

a reply to: jrod
The blame rest entirely on the government. The freest, most equal societies have been those that strongly embrace economic, political, and personal freedoms. As soon as you start subsidizing poverty with welfare, hindering competition with obtrusive economic policy, and treating some corporations more favorably than others through corporate welfare, you have created a perfect recipe for income inequality, poverty, and misery. The solution is to allow those less fortunate (of which I was included for much of my life) to take advantage of the vast opportunities granted by a free market.

a reply to: Mirthful Me

I strongly disagree. The wealth hoarding and tax evasion of the super-elite is the problem.
Trickle-down Economics DOES NOT WORK.

You all (the rich and laissez-faire fans) broke it? You FIX IT - and stop whining about it.

originally posted by: sheepslayer247
a reply to: MentorsRiddle
We need to go back to the sort of capitalistic society our forefathers wanted in which the corporations and banks were very tightly regulated and the minute they pulled some shenanigans.....they were done.

That is not what the founding fathers wanted.

The only regulation required (aside from a few things) is that which is provided by free enterprise. The power of competition is a much more powerful tool than government regulation, which leads to the situation we have today.

a reply to: MentorsRiddle

I would not consider the Walton family to be hard workers, they inherited their fortunes as have most in that elite class. Those who control most of the money make their fortunes via investments, NOT labor.

My experience is those who work the hardest often get paid the least.

That does not mean there are NO self made billionaires who haven't worked their butts off to get where they are at. Those are the exception, not the rule.

originally posted by: Mirthful Me

109,631,000 Americans lived in households that received benefits from one or more federally funded "means-tested programs" — also known as welfare — as of the fourth quarter of 2012, according to data released Tuesday by the Census Bureau.

...

When those receiving benefits from non-means-tested federal programs — such as Social Security, Medicare, unemployment and veterans benefits — were added to those taking welfare benefits, it turned out that 153,323,000 people were getting federal benefits of some type at the end of 2012.

www.cnsnews.com...

There's no doubt that this dependent class has done nothing but increase in size since 2012. The only thing that will end this socialist bloat is it's eventual collapse under it's own weight when there are too few people actually working and producing to tax and prop up this horrific blight. This government hand out dependence may ensure socialist victories over the next few election cycles, but may spell the end of our once great republic.

I see little hope of correcting this political malfeasance and saving this great, no, this extraordinary experiment that was ingeniously crafted and corrupted by graft and misguided largesse... The disease is set to run it's course now that critical mass has been reached..

Anybody buying this garbage? I'm not. 2-3 CEO bonuses could cover food stamps for the whole nation. 1 year of the Iraq war could cover welfare easily. Critical mass? A vast majority of these people are apolitical and don't even vote.

originally posted by: jrod
Yet the balance of wealth is clearly the other way. The vast majority of wealth is controlled by very small number of people.

I do believe an strong argument can be made that this inequality of wealth is forcing more people to rely on welfare. We (the US) live in a society where one can work a full-time job and still be eligible for welfare benefits based on income.

Blaming poor people for the inequality of wealth is exactly what the puppet masters want YOU to do!

Exactly.... there is a reason that so many need assistance, and it's because of those at the TOP.
Not because of some sense of entitlement or some "Hand-out" mentality as many people like to try and spin it.

ETA:

I'm so glad everyone called the OP on their BS.

If you aren't careful this will turn into a hate thread. Any us vs them is very difficult to prove wasn't intended to be hateful.

originally posted by: BuzzyWigs
a reply to: Mirthful Me

I strongly disagree. The wealth hoarding of the super-elite is the problem.
Trickle-down Economics DOES NOT WORK.

You all (the rich and laissez-faire fans) broke it? You FIX IT - and stop whining about it.

The wealthy do not "hoard" their wealth. If you think that is truly what happens then maybe that is why you aren't wealthy yourself.

The United States, and many other nations, experienced their most substantial increases in quality of life and personal freedoms under a very limited governmental role.

a reply to: Pants3204

The wealthy do indeed hoard their fortunes. The evidence for this is overwhelming.

a reply to: sheepslayer247

Our jobs are not paying good wages anymore

What "jobs"?

I agree with you, sheepslayer. I was just reading today somewhere about the service industry - it said 3 in 4 jobs are service industry work. Waiting tables, cleaning hotel rooms, etc.

When they bring the manufacturing jobs BACK TO THE USA and STOP outsourcing and moving overseas (the NERVE of Walgreen's to try to denounce US 'citizenship'!!) for cheaper labor, and start paying people to WORK, it can start to get better.

Until then, well, we are screwed.

a reply to: Pants3204

Bullcrap. Big steaming pile of it.

Yes, they DO hoard their wealth.
Get with the program.

experienced their most substantial increases in quality of life and personal freedoms under a very limited governmental role.

The super-rich got MUCH RICHER since the orchestrated collapse of our economy in 2008. They have made back their money and much more, while the rest of us are struggling to get by.

Why, are you wealthy? Maybe that's why you refuse to admit what is really happening.
Income inequality is worse than ever. FACT.