And Why Is That?

Gee, Fox News, the obvious is worth a report?
Fifty years after the ‘war on poverty’ was first waged, there are signs a new offensive is needed.
Newly released Census data reveals nearly 110 million Americans – more than one-third of the country – are receiving government assistance of some kind.
The number counts people receiving what are known as ‘means-tested’ federal benefits, or subsidies based on income. This includes welfare programs ranging from food stamps to subsidized housing to the program most commonly referred to as ‘welfare,’ Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
A new offensive is needed eh?
How about actually launching one instead of pretending?
I’m quite serious.
See, I count some $2,239 billion as spent welfare and other social spending in the last year’s Federal budget (this year is not quite done yet, but I suspect it will be higher by a hundred billion or two.) CATO says that in many states sitting on one’s ass pays as well as a $20/hour job. The left says that if we raised the minimum wage then people would work instead of sit on their ass (really?)
As millions still rely on government assistance programs, technology and automation have eliminated jobs many Americans used to do with a high school diploma. The challenge for policymakers is helping the economy adjust.

This post was published at Market-Ticker on 2014-08-30.