THE GOVERNMENT WANTS YOU DEPEND ON THEM

IS THE GOVERNMENT PROMOTING DEPENDENCE?

It’s no secret that the American government offers an array of handouts to people of many different economic backgrounds, has the government turned America into a society of dependence? In a study conducted by David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D. and Patrick Tyrrell of the Heritage Foundation, The 2013 Index of Dependence on Government concluded that “Most government spending goes to dependence programs.” The article later explains that “Nearly 70 percent of government spending ‘discretionary and non-discretionary’ goes to programs included in the Index of Dependence on Government.” [Muhlhausen] and [Tyrrell] also highlighted that, in 2011, 45 percent of Americans did not pay income taxes.

While there is nothing wrong with a person, who is in need, receiving assistance; the expectation is appalling. In an ideal world, people would receive help until they’re able to get on their feet; however, it seems that the standard hardworking family is slowly becoming extinct. In the past and throughout history, a sense of personal responsibility in combination with pride would encourage individuals to strive harder in order to make ends meet but in 2015, it’s easy to argue that independence is being replaced with self entitlement and reliance. These characteristics are attributed to the government enabling American citizens

Financial dependence (Dependence in general) is a serious issue in modern American culture; in many instances, the government caseload is approaching noteworthy increases.This is an epidemic that does not discriminate in any aspect, in fact, according to the Office of Family Assistance, as of April 23, 2015, the average monthly number of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and SSP-MOE (Separate State Programs – Maintenance of Effort) recipients is 4.23 millionthroughout the United States. The family assistance rate has significantly increased from the prior 2014 caseload and the numbers have doubled since statistics were collected a decade ago, in 2005.

A wise man once told me “If the government has their hands in your wallet, they maintain complete control over your earning, saving and spending” an idea that ultimately results in an oppressed society. The question I pose is this: Is the Government Promoting Dependence?