The Welfare State

Government, Observations on life 28 comments

Getting rid of the welfare state is a goal of the MAGA folks and conservatives in general. Exactly what is the so-called welfare state?

How many Americans use some form of what we call welfare? Because of the overlap in programs, it’s hard to be precise, but a good estimate is about 70 million Americans of all ages or 19 to 20% of the population – but this is not a static group. It is constantly changing. Some estimates are a high as 90 million.

There is no one program called welfare. The Social safety net is comprised of many different programs – see the chart below.

Count me off.

Are tax credits, student aid or education programs welfare? That’s not how I think of welfare.

As you can see, well over half of all welfare spending is SNAP food assistance and Medicaid.

I found this website that does a good job of explaining the programs.

Here are a couple of its charts. Go to the site to learn more.

There is little doubt these programs contain a measure of fraud and abuse, that some undeserving people receive benefits. However, that does not justify elimination or wholesale cuts as some are seeking.

What programs would you eliminate to reduce the welfare state?

28 comments

      2. Congress and staff must select from an exchange, Members receive the same employer contributions as other federal employees as if they were under the federal health benefits plan, not based on the gold level. However, the gold plan is more aligned with the FHNP with 20% co pays. Employees paying 28% of the cost is not unusual.

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      4. Every federal worker and virtually every state worker has a better deal than most of the taxpayers who foot the bill.

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  2. “The conventional viewpoint says we need a jobs program and we need to cut welfare. Just the opposite! We need more welfare and fewer jobs. Jobs for every American is doomed to failure because of modern automation and production. We ought to recognize it and create an income-maintenance system so every single American has the dignity and the wherewithal for shelter, basic food, and medical care. I’m talking about welfare for all. Without it, you’re going to have warfare for all.”

    “The problem isn’t even a problem. Automation and technology would be a great boon if it were creative, if there were more leisure, more opportunity to engage in raising a family, providing guidance to the young, all the stuff we say we need. America will work if we’re all in it together. It’ll work when there’s a shared sense of destiny. It can be done! It’s all there! What isn’t there is the leadership to create the kind of social network, the safety net, the distribution that would truly create a just and equal society…”

    https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2010/06/10/jerry-brown-flashback-we-need-more-welfare-and-fewer-jobs/

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    1. StephenDouglss, I see you are a big fan of former Governor Moonbeam. Well, I was just listening to that old song “Big Rock Candy Mountain” and if we can find that mountain it will be Christmas every day.

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  3. Ernie has a great sense of humor along with his sarcasm–Ernie misses the outhouses and transportation by horse, but with the left wing loonies in charge for environmental reasons we could well be back there. No stoves they tell us beats no gas stoves.

    Now, with this once in a generation hot economy I assume welfare should be almost a thing of the past. Heck, there are folks begging people to work at their businesses, minimum wage at fast food CA of $20 per hour, and I read of the WalMart manager in Texas you earned well in excess of $200,000 last year. 

    Looks like welfare is like Nat’l Public Broadcasting–no matter what it just keeps on going. Like kudzu you just can’t eliminate some of this stuff.

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  4. Ernie is what some would call a democrat operative. But it is hilarious how you fall for these people every time Richard.

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    2. Good for you Rodger–every site has an Ernie and they are amusing. Dick’s a nice guy and probably doesn’t think folks do strange things.

      My wife is that way–“no dear the man calling saying you can get free groceries by adding Medicare “C” is a scammer and we don’t do “B”.

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      1. I see there is no room here for real MAGA supporters, just a bunch of RINOS who pretend they are conservative until it comes time to give up a little of their piece of their social security or Medicare.
        President Trump already laid out his plan for reducing the deficit – I don’t understand why you don’t trust him after he led this country to prosperity during his first term. He can cut the defense budget in half with his policy of abandoning our endless wars and needlessly meddling in Chinese and Russian operations. 
        And Trump’s latest proposal to devalue the dollar by half will also basically cut our national debt in half. 
        Or you can just have the illegitimate Biden Regime just continue to print money…

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      2. “Their little piece of SS or Medicare”–why should I give up something I paid for? I thought covid interrupted prosperity.

        I will give it to you Ernie your boy does like wars–Afghanistan (great withdrawal)–Iran–Ukraine–Hamassholes/Israel. Stuff happens when you tell Putin a minor incursion would be acceptable. I guess you anticipate China moving against Taiwan as they can smell weakness and ineptitude.

        Was it Obama’s Sec. of Defense who wrote in his book that Biden had fu–ed up every major major foreign policy issue he had ever been involved with? In the Situation Room he was the only negative vote against raiding Ben Laden’s den of inequity. Even fat -ss Hillary supported taking him out.

        Devaluing the $–Ernie you really fell for that op-ed piece didn’t you! And you the king of jokesters.

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      3. As far as I am concerned I am not a Republican or Democrat and never have been. I do see myself as conservative, but not of the radical and very naive variety we hear about these days.

        I would love to support a honest conservative who understands economics, the global reality of the world we live in and most important the American people and human nature with a good measure of compassion. The idea we can thrive in an isolationist way, that Americans are tough and can fend for themselves when it comes to such things as healthcare or retirement is naive and easily demonstrated to be wrong.

        Clearly we need to deal with the deficit and debt, but we need to understand the consequences as we do so. Mr Trump has no clue about any of these issues, all he wants is power and he has demonstrated what he is willing to do to get it.

        We need a strong middle- moderate government with a long term strategy. The radical right and left will both lead us in the opposite direction of great.

        A good dose of truth in politics would be nice too as would individuals doing a bit of research before spewing nonsensical, false information.

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      4. Al, I can tell you are one of those Nikki Haley/Chris Christy conservatives who believes in America Last. You like to parrot conservative talking points but when it comes to actually supporting real conservative leaders, like President Trump, you get worried about your own welfare benefits. Typical. And then you try to deflect by talking about Biden, who you clearly accept as a legitimate leader, even though he and his cronies stole the election. Well, I have news for you, we are going to implement Proejct 2025 soon, when President Trump wins, and enjoy watching your RINO tears when you are crying about your social security and medicare. Real Patriots are ready to make sacrifices.

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  5. I ask: is there a limit to government taxation and spending? In reality Congress is very reluctant to increase taxation foe the majority of working Americans. And yet government spending increases exponentially beyond revenue and inflation is the hidden taxation. So again I ask: is there a limit to what government can spend on welfare for the constituency? It seems there’s not!

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  7. Brother Quinn, it is fair to ask of you. Where would you cut costs or would you be simply in favor of raising tax revenue to cover the ongoing deficits? I ask this because you do criticize all conservative positions on cutting any program and you bash the Republican Party at every turn.

    According to the 2023 federal budget expense and cost, there will need to be a tax increase of at least 33% to cover the deficit. We can estimate that much and more will be needed from now on. Do you propose to simply add a 33% surtax on each current dollar of tax. That is, are you an advocate of a 33% income tax hike?

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    1. That’s a good question and the problem. Conservative politicians talk about cutting but without specifics and mostly without considering consequences.

      The reality is we can’t cut anything of real consequence to the budget certainly not in the area of social programs. Defense is often a target, but that doesn’t seem logical in these times.

      What we can do is stop creating new programs and liabilities. And, yes eventually no matter what cuts may be made, we will need to raise taxes- probably higher than the 2017 cuts that should never have happened. Few developed countries have lower taxes than the U.S. and most of Europe uses a VAT. A well designed VAT can be focused on higher income individuals since it is based consumption. We have created immense liabilities and failed to fund them. It simply can’t continue

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      1. The left loves VAT because it is hidden. VAT taxes have jumped dramatically over the last 15-20 years. 

        Our taxes are lower which what we want–the spending is out of control. The 2017 tax cuts have ushered in one the strongest economies known to man–unless you think sending everyone a check has been the driving force.

        Try a 1%-2% cut per government agency and you solve the problem temporarily. Remember, the interest on the debt now exceeds defense spending.

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  8. The welfare state is killing America. It is a giant wealth transfer from the young to seniors. This is not what greatness looks like. We need to return to American values of independence and resilience. Do you watch Little House on the Prairie? That was America’s golden age. There was no Medicare or social security, and communities were closer and people happier. We need to Make America Great Again. I am proud that President Trump is standing up to the elites and is willing to cut these programs. We need to get America back to work again. Look at the statistics for all the working age people on disability too.

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