I’m typically pretty good at finding various government databases and data mining whatever I’m looking for, but tracking down the amount of money we spend on welfare is practically impossible because of the way the Federal Government spreads the programs out. In my opinion, they try to hide total welfare costs for political reasons.
What I’m getting ready to share with you is at the low end of total benefits but it will give you a good idea as to how much we take care of U.S. citizens even though what’s being offered to them isn’t a Constitutional right, it’s a privilege.
What I found is that in many cases the value of financial assistance received by qualified individuals is is roughly $37,000 a year. Keep in mind, Government Welfare can include cable, internet, food, healthcare, housing, internet, phone, transportation, etc. The average salary in the U.S. is $26,995 so why would someone who is taking full advantage of what our welfare system has to offer want to work? Sure some might still seek a job because of the personal fulfillment but let’s be realistic, how many people would be willing to get a job and lose 27% of their standard of living?
We’re spending at least $500 billion a year on welfare and that’s just what I was able to find, so I’m positive even more tax dollars are being spent. This is a lot of money and we know that welfare fraud is everywhere yet the Federal and State governments are terrible at identifying and stopping it. In several studies I’ve read that included the cities of Chicago and Los Angeles, close to 50% of people on welfare have received benefits they weren’t qualified for whether intentionally or unintentionally on their part.
A well-staffed group of trained investigators would more than pay for themselves in identifying welfare fraud and cases where the government is inadvertently paying money they shouldn’t. I don’t mind helping people in need but I want more accountability at all levels of government sponsored welfare including budgeting and distribution of benefits.
It bothers me that so many people who receive welfare think they have a right to the benefits instead of it being a privilege that U.S. taxpayers have given them. This creates a mindset that committing fraud is just sticking it to “the man”, when they’re actually sticking to everyone who pays taxes.
What I’m getting ready to share with you is at the low end of total benefits but it will give you a good idea as to how much we take care of U.S. citizens even though what’s being offered to them isn’t a Constitutional right, it’s a privilege.
What I found is that in many cases the value of financial assistance received by qualified individuals is is roughly $37,000 a year. Keep in mind, Government Welfare can include cable, internet, food, healthcare, housing, internet, phone, transportation, etc. The average salary in the U.S. is $26,995 so why would someone who is taking full advantage of what our welfare system has to offer want to work? Sure some might still seek a job because of the personal fulfillment but let’s be realistic, how many people would be willing to get a job and lose 27% of their standard of living?
We’re spending at least $500 billion a year on welfare and that’s just what I was able to find, so I’m positive even more tax dollars are being spent. This is a lot of money and we know that welfare fraud is everywhere yet the Federal and State governments are terrible at identifying and stopping it. In several studies I’ve read that included the cities of Chicago and Los Angeles, close to 50% of people on welfare have received benefits they weren’t qualified for whether intentionally or unintentionally on their part.
A well-staffed group of trained investigators would more than pay for themselves in identifying welfare fraud and cases where the government is inadvertently paying money they shouldn’t. I don’t mind helping people in need but I want more accountability at all levels of government sponsored welfare including budgeting and distribution of benefits.
It bothers me that so many people who receive welfare think they have a right to the benefits instead of it being a privilege that U.S. taxpayers have given them. This creates a mindset that committing fraud is just sticking it to “the man”, when they’re actually sticking to everyone who pays taxes.
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