No doubt, many Americans are painfully aware that tough times have been nipping at their heels in recent years. The Senate Budget committee confirms that hunch.
“The government spent approximately $1.03 trillion on 83 means-tested federal welfare programs in fiscal year 2011 alone — a price tag that makes welfare that year the government’s largest expenditure, according to new data released by the Senate Budget Committee,” The Daily Caller reported Oct. 18.
That’s due primarily to the extreme downturn in the U.S. overall economy since 2008.
“Welfare spending has grown substantially over the past four years, reaching $746 billion in 2011 — or more than Social Security, basic defense spending or any other single chunk of the federal government — according to a new memo by the Congressional Research Service,” the Washington Times reported.
This four year rise in welfare handouts covers some 80 governmental programs, targeting low-income people around the nation. One reason for the recent upsurge has been with high unemployment more people qualify for assistance. Not until more jobs are created will this trend be curtailed.
Sen. Jeff Sessions, the ranking Republican on the Senate Budget Committee said, “No longer should we measure compassion by how much money the government spends but by how many people we help to rise out of poverty.”
“Welfare assistance should be seen as temporary whenever possible and the goal must be to help more of our fellow citizens attain gainful employment and financial independence.”
Federal government spending on welfare increased from $563 billion in fiscal 2008 to a whopping $746 billion for fiscal year 2011. That’s a huge increase of 32 percent.
Both presidential candidates have skirted the issue of economic pressure on low and middle income families that have turned to the government for help when they lost their means of self-support.
Yesterday, U.S. Labor Department reported that unemployment benefits increased by 46,000 last week. That doesn’t appear to be an improvement. That’s the highest rate of increase in four months. That will place even more pressure on the welfare system as 46,000 people look for help.
While many folks have turned to the government for assistance, others have found assistance at local food shelves, church aid associations and private donations to help their fellow citizens during this extreme economic time.
Keith Hansen
Comments (18)
Add commentThis four year rise in welfare handouts
was a part of Obama's "Change" program, I assume.
After the GOP derailed the
After the GOP derailed the economy with unfunded tax breaks and 2 unfunded wars a lot of people are desperate. The wealthy are doing fine though. In fact they are doing even better so there is no need to worry. Soon they are going to take the trillions they are hoarding and create a few jobs.
Yup...Those Job Creators...
Sheldon Gary Adelson (born August 4, 1933)...
Charles de Ganahl Koch (born November 1, 1935)...
David Hamilton Koch (born May 3, 1940)...
Star Tribune this morning
"Minnesota gained 5,900 jobs in September, pushing the unemployment rate down one-tenth of a percentage point as state job growth echoed positive national economic news in recent weeks.
It was the second-best month for job creation this year, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, which also revised the August job figures -- from a loss of 2,000 jobs to a loss of 700.
Steve Hine, labor market economist for the department, called Thursday's report "really some fairly decent news." Unemployment ticked down to 5.8 percent, and the labor force grew by 3,000 people. That's a small gain, but it's the largest in the past 18 months."
MSN yesterday
"WASHINGTON (AP) - Weekly applications for U.S. unemployment benefits jumped 46,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 388,000, the highest in four months. The increase marks a rebound from the previous week's sharp drop."
...the extreme downturn in the U.S. overall economy since 2008
From the above article "That’s due primarily to the extreme downturn in the U.S. overall economy since 2008."
Yet some Archie Bunker types try to blame President Obama, who became president in 2009.
The 2008 recession IS broad and deep, but we are slowly getting back to a good economy!
The stock market has doubled since the depths of this recession!
In 2008, America was losing jobs at the rate of 800,000 per month....we have added jobs steadily for the last 2-1/2 years.
Gasoline prices have not climbed back to the 2008 record high!
No one expected the 2008 recession to be suddenly corrected overnight. We knew it wasn't going to be a matter of weeks or months, but YEARS!
America will be OK, as long as we don't go back to the failed policies that got us into this mess....borrowing money from China to fund huge tax cuts for the wealthy, borrowing money from China to fund two wars!
Thelen Heating and Roofing gets the nod today!
Good folks too, I have dealt with them personally. Do they know they are supporting this continued effort of the BDD to lift hogwash from right wing sources? Will see what they have to say....
Rino
Why are you bringing a place of business up??
thurston
Where are you from?? The gas prices have never been HIGHER Look at the price per barrel and price per gallon. Never has there been prices this high SO STOP the DEMO(C)RAT'S LIES.
pickle:
This should disprove any republican't fantasies that may have come your way from the fox nooze entertainment channel.
http://www.minnesotagasprices.com/Retail_Price_Chart.aspx
Well Denton, if you needed anymore proof
scary just gave it to you with his/her oversize graph.
Does he/she have to start swearing before you act?
thurston
Hey compare the price per barrel and the price per gallon. DUH
thurston
when it got high in 2008 the barrel price was @ $150.00 plus. WHAT IS IT NOW THURSTON @ $93.00 A BARREL show us another cool chart to decieve people.
$5.00 a gallon
Obama SAID "I have no problem with $5.00 a gallon for gas" in 2008 so stop the demo(c)rat lies.
2009
look at your chart it shows gas below $1.90 A gallon When Obama took over HE DIDN'T get high gas prices from Bush another Demo. lie
Salt Lake Tribune endorses Obama
"Therefore, our endorsement must go to the incumbent, a competent leader who, against tough odds, has guided the country through catastrophe and set a course that, while rocky, is pointing toward a brighter day. The president has earned a second term. Romney, in whatever guise, does not deserve a first."
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/55019844-82/romney-obama-state-pres...
Interesting.
Chey
I know what you are trying to say but, the Salt Lake Tribune has no ties to the Mormon church and is not owned by the Mormon church. Salt Lake City's other daily newspaper, the Deseret News, is owned by the Mormon church.
cheyenne43
Now I understand why you & the other demo(c)RATS don't want Romney. Thanks to your article (there is a little truth in most lies) YOU don't want the U.S.A. to be a showcase to the world our volunteerism, efficiency, and beauty. (I suppose in the words of Teflon "YOU DIDN'T WRITE THAT.)