If the fedgov wasn't paying out entitlements, we'd have more people working, and we'd have a larger economy and even greater wealth. Only a blind moron thinks we've lost, or simply maintained, wealth and income since 1973.
When the markets start to puke up Ben & Janet’s fake money, we’ll get a chance to test your theory.
With the implementation of the Welfare Reform Act of 1996... the arguments about people starting to work when welfare is stopped... died. The proof is in the reduction of unemployed and the success of WORKFARE over WELFARE. You are correct!