More Americans Receiving Government Benefits While Fewer Pay In

Stephen Keen / September 15, 2010

The front page of today’s Wall Street Journal brings some unsurprising yet alarming news about the nation’s fiscal situation. Simply put, the federal government is spending an increasing amount on benefits in the form of entitlements while simultaneously trimming the number of taxpayers paying the bill:

Efforts to tame America’s ballooning budget deficit could soon confront a daunting reality: Nearly half of all Americans live in a household in which someone receives government benefits, more than at any time in history.

At the same time, the fraction of American households not paying federal income taxes has also grown—to an estimated 45% in 2010, from 39% five years ago, according to the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan research organization.

Heritage’s 2010 Index of Dependence on Government tells the same grim story. In nearly every category measured, Americans have significantly increased their dependence on government. If this weren’t distressing enough, this level is before 19 million more Americans begin to receive federal aid to purchase health insurance under Obamacare. (more…)