Welfare/entitlements now make up 35% of the US economy, compared to 10% in 1960

[Strk321]

http://www.cnbc.com/id/41969508

Really gives you pause for thought, doesn't it?

[Tzimisce]

And they say America is in decline.

[allmost]

Many need it now.

[Strk321]

No s—t. They went and shipped off to China 1,000,000+ jobs. Do that and don’t be surprised when this sort of thing happens.

[unkus]

Many need it now.

---

That’s the plan.

[chris_bdba]

Time to cut the gravy train off.

[Walts Ice Pick]

The best way to manage these federal welfare programs (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps) is to means test all of them and aggressively prosecute fraud. Aside from being unconstitutional, these programs are unsustainable at present benefit levels. People don't want to reduce the benefit levels, but they also don't want to raise the taxes that would be required to continue paying them.

One possible (likely) option is to make significant cuts in the real value of Social Security benefits by inducing high rates of inflation and not providing any cost of living increases. This may be the only political answer, but I prefer means testing so that real cuts won't be necessary for seniors most in need of help.

[allmost]

Blaming China negates the frauds stateside.

[Strk321]

Some of this was the product of the Great Society. Others were due to Social Security being built on what are now quite outdated concepts of how American society works.

[Walkingfeather]

OMG we are sweden.

[allmost]

What options?

[GeronL]

This is actually not helping the economy, its a net negative

[RC one]

and then shipped in 10-20 million illegal aliens

[himno hero]

I know this sounds waysis, but, I’ll bet it is top heavy with minority groups ie, blacks, with little white representation. Probably the same mix as the jails. The system needs to be re calibrated.

[ClearCase_guy]

If you want less of something, tax it.
If you want more of something, subsidize it.

We taxed business, and subsidized poverty. How's that working out?

[Steely Tom]

I'm surprised it's that low. Here's what will happen. Welfare entitlements will grow until the number of voters getting a "largesse from the treasury" (de Tocqueville's phrase, I believe) will just tip 51%. It won't grow any more after that, because there won't be enough money for it to grow any more.

Once it reaches 51%, it will stay there for a while, until there's a massive economic crisis in which the whole national economy collapses (and maybe the whole world economy with it). At that point, there's no telling what will happen, but I would imagine having large amounts of canned food and ammunition on hand wouldn't be a bad idea.

[RC one]

One possible (likely) option is to make significant cuts in the real value of Social Security benefits by inducing high rates of inflation and not providing any cost of living increases.

and if that's too politically dangerous, they can just change the method of calculating inflation/deflation to grossly understate inflation. Those tricky politicians are way ahead of us, they have been doing that for years.

[occamrzr06]

Many people need a job, not another entitlement!

My daughter is on welfare and my biggest task is to get her off of it. They don’t want you off of welfare. It’s their control.

[allmost]

Yes.

[allmost]

You’re right.