Addicted to Government Benefits

Cal Thomas | Syndicated Columnist | Updated: Dec 10, 2012

Addicted to Government Benefits

Here's something that should get your attention: In the first quarter of last year, nearly half the population -- 49.1 percent -- lived in a household where at least one member received a government benefit.

Cutting government spending is difficult. Once someone is addicted to a government check, it is hard to break away. Granted, the biggest spending is on Social Security and Medicare. Everyone knows these twin monsters must be reformed, and Republicans have made serious attempts to fix what is wrong, but the demagogues on the Left who prefer the issue for political reasons will do nothing.

According to the Census Bureau, 15 percent of the population receive food stamps, 26 percent had someone enrolled in Medicaid and 2 percent had a family member receiving unemployment insurance.

We used to focus on success in America and how to be successful. Now the focus is on benefits and how to get more of other people's money. Is it any wonder we seem to be in decline?

I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.

Publication date: May 29, 2012



Addicted to Government Benefits