Dependent Nation
15th February 2013
Vedder said Department of Labor statistics show four programs in particular contribute to Americans’ increasing dependence on government.
- Food stamps, or The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, as it’s now known. Nearly 30 million more Americans receive them than in the year 2000.
- Social Security Disability: 3 million Americans received payments in 1990 — today it’s 8.6 million.
- Pell grants: 3.9 million students were awarded them in 2000. Today it’s 9.7 million, even though nearly half of graduates work in jobs that require no degree.
- And extended unemployment benefits: 26 weeks had been the standard — today it’s 52 weeks or more for many.