Romney is Right: More Americans Depend on Government than ever (USAToday report)

THE TRUTH HURTS The liberal outrage machine is in overdrive after videos were leaked of Romney correctly pointing out that 47 percent of Americans don’t pay federal income taxes and that some Americans will vote for Obama no matter what. What about the Romney’s comment of Americans dependent on the government? USA Today reported in April 2011 that Americans depend more on federal aid than ever: (http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-04-26-government-payments-economy-medicare.htm) Americans depended more on government assistance in 2010 than at any other time in the nation’s history, a USA TODAY analysis of federal data finds. The trend shows few signs of easing, even though the economic recovery is nearly 2 years old. A record 18.3% of the nation’s total personal income was a payment from the government for Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, unemployment benefits and other programs in 2010. Wages accounted for the lowest share of income — 51.0% — since the government began keeping track in 1929. [...] Americans got an average of $7,427 in benefits each in 2010, up from an inflation-adjusted $4,763 in 2000 and $3,686 in 1990. The federal government pays about 90% of the benefits. [...] Accounting for 80% of safety-net spending in 2010: Social Security, Medicare (health insurance for seniors), Medicaid (health insurance for the poor) and unemployment insurance.

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