The percentage of people drawing ‘entitlements’ Or ‘welfare’ exceeds those who work and pay taxes.   Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote, ‘When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.’ 

Based on reports from various agencies, we have reached that incredible milestone in America.  That could mean our impending doom is near unless we immediately and dramatically alter that course.  Franklin said, “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.  Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.”   Sadly, we do not appear to be the ‘well-armed lamb’ but the one outvoted by the two wolves.

The Cato Institute reported in August 2013 that welfare benefits exceed the minimum wage after taxes are taken into account in 35 states.  In 2024, reports indicated that 40 states offered welfare benefits exceeding $8.00 per hour, and 17 were more generous than $10.00 per hour.   

Nine states provide welfare benefits exceeding the average first-year teacher’s salary.  In 29 states, the benefits exceed the starting wage for secretaries.  In 47 states, the benefits exceed the income of janitors.  Hawaii offers welfare benefits equivalent to a pretax salary of $36,400, and Alaska is not far behind. 

Something is wrong with our ideology, politics, and work ethic when the welfare system affords such a high level of benefits that it acts as a deterrent to industry or the incentive to actually work or try to find a job.  When you are paid more to sit on your Gluteus Maximus, watch television, and eat bonbons (or whatever) than you are to go out and secure employment, there is a problem.

Until we have a Congress with the backbone, intestinal fortitude, and moral fiber to do something about this situation, we are up the creek without a paddle.  It is getting deeper, and the stench is more pronounced daily.  The idea of removing welfare work requirements is one of the most disastrous things that Washington has done or thought of doing.  If they were serious about resolving the problem, they would immediately act to ‘remove exemptions’ and narrow the definition of work instead of broadening the doorway to a lifestyle of entitlements.

The three locals with the highest welfare benefits are Hawaii, Washington, DC, and Massachusetts, which should come as no surprise.  The Associated Press reported that among U.S. adults, 80% face joblessness, near-poverty, or reliance on welfare for at least parts of their lives.  That is staggering and screams the need to do something constructive regarding the economy and the world of federal entitlements. 

The federal government needs to get out of the way and allow private enterprises to do what they have always done: invest, create jobs, grow the economy, and make millions in the process.   

If you have a problem with someone becoming wealthy due to starting a business, growing it, hiring people, and adding strength to the economy, then you have a problem.   I do not care how rich someone becomes.  If they are hiring people, helping to grow and strengthen the U.S. economy, that is a good thing.   If they are operating an illegal sweatshop and using forced labor of indentured servants, then that is a problem.

The class envy and warfare that former Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and the Democrats project and incite have done significant harm to our nation and our economy.   Expecting the government to provide for us and fix everything forces us to relinquish our freedom and liberty for the illusion of security.   

Please do not argue that you are not privileged enough to be a success in business because there have been thousands, if not more, who have begun with nothing, worked incredibly hard, developed a product or an idea that the public wanted, and risen to the pinnacle of success.  I have learned that if I am willing to take the risk, put in the work, and make the sacrifices required, I can achieve financial success of whatever proportions I desire. 

I have invested most of my adult life in ministry rather than amassing fortunes, so that ship may have sailed for me.  However, even now, if I were willing to put in the required work, I believe I could achieve financial and business success.   However, that would mean taking away from the time I now invest in prayer, studying the Word of God, and proclaiming the gospel, and I am not willing to do that. 

In the current state and with the percentage of people on some kind of entitlement in America, our demise as a Free Constitutional Republic is dangerously near.   Our nation’s debt is unsustainable, and our entitlement programs are untenable.   We cannot continue on our current path and survive. 

I apologize if that sounds pessimistic; I believe it is reality.   That is why we must regain control of our government.  That is why we must become willing to bite the bullet and adopt the necessary reforms to restore stability to our economy.   The disaster they called the Affordable Health Care Act, also known as Obamacare, began a fiscal plunge down a very slippery slope.

God help us, or we are doomed.   God bless America!