Welfare under Obama becomes a crutch. Spending up 32%

[_bcspace]

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 steady rise in welfare spending, which covers more than 80 programs primarily designed to help low-income Americans, got a big boost from the 2009 stimulus and has grown, albeit somewhat more slowly, in 2010 and 2011. One reason is that more people are qualifying in the weak economy, but the federal government also has broadened eligibility so that more people qualify for programs.

Sen. Jeff Sessions, the ranking Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, who requested the Congressional Research Service report, said it underscores a fundamental shift in welfare, moving away from a Band-Aid and toward a more permanent crutch.

“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,” the Alabama conservative said. “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.”

Overall, welfare spending as measured by obligations has grown from $563 billion in fiscal 2008 to $746 billion in fiscal 2011, or a jump of 32 percent.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/oct/18/welfare-spending-jumps-32-percent-four-years/

[_cinepro]

I wish this would come up in the debates, not because I want a debate over whether or not people should get welfare or food stamps or unemployment, but instead I want Obama to explain whether he thinks this is a good thing.

Does he look at the numbers and think "wow, that's great that we are able to help so many more people" or "wow, what a tragedy that so many people need government assistance"?

[_subgenius]

I wish this would come up in the debates, not because I want a debate over whether or not people should get welfare or food stamps or unemployment, but instead I want Obama to explain whether he thinks this is a good thing.

Does he look at the numbers and think "wow, that's great that we are able to help so many more people" or "wow, what a tragedy that so many people need government assistance"?

I think Obama's philosophy of government, as conveyed by his policies, would endorse the former with lip service would be the only thing offered to support the latter.