[MtnClimber]

We are importing thousands every day that want the free stuff.

[KarlInOhio]

I remember asking the same question in economics class in the 1980s. If someone is below the poverty line and gets Medicaid, housing subsidies, food stamps, direct cash welfare, and a dozen other welfare programs is she still poor. Back then the answer was "only the direct cash payments count in the calculation of poverty". I pointed out that using those counting methods you would live better being "poor" than in the self sufficient lower middle class and that poverty programs would likely drive up the poverty rate as counted rather than reduce it.

Give me a free house in the suburbs, a new car, cable TV, a free phone and internet, free food including restaurants and enough cash to enjoy myself then I might be willing to be "poor" too.

[airborne]

Rhetorical question.

[Qwapisking]

Government shouldn’t even BE in the business of socialism...oops, I meant social change at the tax payers expense. Or even at no cost. Unless, of course, government is changing the social status of criminals from free to un-free. I’m ok with that. Just my 2.

[normbal]

“I am for doing good to the poor, but...I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. I observed...that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer.”
― Benjamin Franklin

#taxationisslavery

[FlingWingFlyer]

There is a reason why they tell us not to feed the bears at the National Parks. It’s the same reason that it’s time for us to stop feeding the freeloaders. Make them go to work or starve. If they don’t, take the kids away and throw the deadbeats in jail.

[SMARTY]

If you’re being chased by a 700 lb.Bengal tiger and you keep throwing T- Bone steaks at him.... do you think he’ll go away???

[Alberta's Child]

The purpose of any “anti-poverty” program isn’t to help the poor … it’s to provide massive subsidies to industries that produce and sell the things the government buys for the poor.

This is why industries like farmers, food producers, and grocery store chains lobby heavily for expanded EBT eligibility, etc.

[bk1000]

“statistics on poverty and income inequality”

The term “income inequality” rolls off the tongue so lightly, but it is farcical. Where, and who’s income has ever been equal? One should get what one earns. Regarding poverty, it is written that the poor will always be with us. Franklin put it well when he said: “ I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it.”

[bobbo666]

If the goal is anything other than independence, it is a make work program for the money laundering admins.

[robel]

And yet, the real reason for welfare was to destroy the successful black family, a threat to democrats success. The official policy language was just window dressing.

[IYAS9YAS]

This is a paraphrase of a sign board that used to be in Caldwell, ID. Welfare was supposed to be temporary safety net, not a multi-generational hammock.

[vpintheak]

One method is using our blessings to help someone that is in a tight spot.
The other method steals our blessings to fund a permanent lazy lifestyle.

[Paal Gulli]

"Should Government Anti-Poverty Programs Promote Independence or Dependence?"

Yes.