More Than 40 Percent of Americans Are on Some Government Program

[OmaHusker]

How many Americans depend on a government program for a basic (or not so basic) need? According to recently released Census Bureau data and Heritage Foundation calculations, the number is 128.8 million. That is the number of individuals directly receiving aid that they depend on for their daily consumption of things such as rent, prescription drugs, and higher education.

That is 41.3 percent of the U.S.population as of July 2011.

There is a way out of the dependence-on-government trap. Steps are laid out in Heritage’s Saving the American Dream plan. If this plan were implemented, the economy would grow, government expenses would be held in check, and more Americans would support themselves. Some of the good results for individuals and the country would be:

* More Americans climbing the prosperity ladder.
* Fewer Americans stuck in the rut of “just getting by.”
* Those who currently receive more from the government than they pay in taxes could become contributing taxpayers.
* Catastrophe averted by shrinking the runaway national debt.
* More happiness as the intergenerational cycle of government dependence would be shattered and replaced by an intergenerational cycle of self-reliance and private-sector opportunities for all.

Patrick Tyrrell, The Foundry

Is it acceptable for 40% of the U.S. population to directly depend on government in one form or another?

Is self-reliance, including establishing one's own safety-net, more desirable than reliance on government?

[Huskers57]

you are definitely on a crusade.

[ThotDoc]

you are definitely on a crusade.

If it is a crusade against further dependence on government and to encourage more self-reliance and self- sufficiency for those that can........ that doesn't seem like such a bad thing.

[Showman]

Pretty sure government programs of one sort or another affect 100% of Americans. But yes, the Heritage Foundation's flat tax plan will save us all.

[McKinneyTXHusker]

Pretty sure government programs of one sort or another affect 100% of Americans. But yes, the Heritage Foundation's flat tax plan will save us all.

I'm pretty sure you're correct on that. Because if you add up all the ones on the dole, and then all the ones who have to pay for that group, you do get to 100%

[OmaHusker]

Pretty sure government programs of one sort or another affect 100% of Americans. But yes, the Heritage Foundation's flat tax plan will save us all.

I asked whether or not it was acceptable for 41% of the population to directly depend on government largesse? Do you think it is?

[ChitownHusker]

I asked whether or not it was acceptable for 41% of the population to directly depend on government largesse? Do you think it is?

That number doesn't particularly surprise me. There are dozens of different programs that people can avail themselves of. As a parent of a special needs child, I have taken advantage of a number of such programs (respite care, early intervention education). We have recently applied for a Medicaid waiver that will open up access to a number of additional programs.

None of that changes the fact that the benefit we receive from these various programs is worth a small fraction of the amount of taxes we pay, or that we go out of pocket for many thousands of dollars a year in special-needs expenses.

But when you look at all the different ways that people can utilize government programs or services, it does not suprise me that 41% of the population can take advantage of one or more of them.

[RedPhoenix]

Damn college kids and old people. Death panels can't get here soon enough!

[cm husker]

So they include taking out government backed student loans as being "on the dole"? People who receive social security, which is a program they paid into while working, are on the dole?

I wonder if they include driving on roads and playing in city parks being on the dole, too.

[Showman]

That number doesn't particularly surprise me. There are dozens of different programs that people can avail themselves of. As a parent of a special needs child, I have taken advantage of a number of such programs (respite care, early intervention education). We have recently applied for a Medicaid waiver that will open up access to a number of additional programs.

None of that changes the fact that the benefit we receive from these various programs is worth a small fraction of the amount of taxes we pay, or that we go out of pocket for many thousands of dollars a year in special-needs expenses.

But when you look at all the different ways that people can utilize government programs or services, it does not suprise me that 41% of the population can take advantage of one or more of them.

Yeah, I think it's a generalization meant to alarm more than a percentage that truly means much.

[huskernut]

Damn college kids and old people. Death panels can't get here soon enough!

Their inclusion of Social Security in those numbers is interesting. Republicans may soon learn that they touch the third rail at their own peril.

[HuZkurZ]

So they include taking out government backed student loans as being "on the dole"? People who receive social security, which is a program they paid into while working, are on the dole?

I wonder if they include driving on roads and playing in city parks being on the dole, too.

If you consider SS, medicare and medicaid heading to bankruptcy leaving a small number that have to continue to support those 41%ers, yea I would say it's a problem and self reliance is more desireable then reliance on government.

[RedPhoenix]

If you consider SS, medicare and medicaid heading to bankruptcy leaving a small number that have to continue to support those 41%ers, yea I would say it's a problem and self reliance is more desireable then reliance on government.

Just because someone receives social security does not mean they are "reliant" on the government.

[cm husker]

If you consider SS, medicare and medicaid heading to bankruptcy leaving a small number that have to continue to support those 41%ers, yea I would say it's a problem and self reliance is more desireable then reliance on government.

Social security is heading to bankruptcy? When?

Do you propose scrapping those programs all together? Because anything else leaves the 41% or whatever intact.

Here's the scoop: The headline and % is simply part of a scare tactic. It has nothing serious to do with really socio-economic policy.

[Squatchsker]

I have my death-panel hood ready for wear. It is a striking black velvet number with gold piping on the fringe that spells out "I DONT CARE".

[Squatchsker]

Just because someone receives social security does not mean they are "reliant" on the government.

Hello Means Testing.

[huskernut]

The 41% figure isn't troubling to me. It isn't even that meaningful because it includes for example Social Security and Medicare, which are at least theoretically paid for by recipients. Subsidized student loans, which are usually paid back both directly and in taxes due to higher earnings are another example way this figure is inflated.

Many other programs may provide assistance relative to an uncommon problem, or only in a small way in terms of the recipient's income.

Overall, I think we need cuts but they need to be very targeted to increase self reliant hehavior during people's early and productive years. But programs targeted at increasing social mobility and providing a safety net for the most needy and elderly will always be a good idea.

[HuZkurZ]

Social security is heading to bankruptcy? When?

Do you propose scrapping those programs all together? Because anything else leaves the 41% or whatever intact.

Here's the scoop: The headline and % is simply part of a scare tactic. It has nothing serious to do with really socio-economic policy.

Don't need to scrap it but they need reforming. Means testing, raised age of retirement, reduction of benefits so future retirees don't rely soley on SS benefits for retirement. Maybe the 41% figure remains but the amount of reliance is decreased.


By 2017, Social Security is expected to start paying out more than it collects in payroll taxes, according to the 2009 Annual Report from the Social Security and Medicare Board of Trustees. There is currently a large surplus, but it will be drained by the year 2037. At that point, Social Security will only be able to pay out 75 percent of its benefits.

A separate report, done by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, concludes much the same thing, but gives the system another 10 years before it begins to fall apart.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/34941334/Will...ocial_Security

[HuZkurZ]

Just because someone receives social security does not mean they are "reliant" on the government.

26% are.


Working forever might be the only option for Americans if the situation of many current retirees is any indication.
One-quarter (26 percent) of retirees depend on Social Security as their only source of income.



Read more: Americans plan to work through retirement http://www.bankrate.com/finance/fina...#ixzz1x1nH4lCD

[Red Dawn]

anyone know if this 41% # includes farm subsidy and other similar programs?