| − | Welfare in the [[United States]] has been growing for many years. The welfare system was established by President [[Franklin Roosevelt]], and extended by [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] and the [[Great Society]]. Opponents say that, since 50% of Americans pay over 96% of the taxes, <ref>Jackson, 2007</ref><ref>(no such reference - needs to be removed or have reference updated)</ref> welfare is a [[socialist]] policy. Supporters may cite the effectiveness of Roosevelt's policies to help end the Great Depression.<ref>http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/depression/overview.htm</ref> Welfare also comes in the forms of [[food stamp]]s, free school lunches, and [[Medicaid]]. There is no evidence that anyone has ever been helped by welfare; in fact, some conservatives believe that welfare hurts the disadvantaged. | + | Welfare in the [[United States]] has been growing for many years. The welfare system was established by President [[Franklin Roosevelt]], and extended by [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] and the [[Great Society]]. Opponents say that, since 50% of Americans pay over 96% of the taxes, <ref>Jackson, 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/250.html]</ref> welfare is a [[socialist]] policy. Supporters may cite the effectiveness of Roosevelt's policies to help end the Great Depression.<ref>http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/depression/overview.htm</ref> Welfare also comes in the forms of [[food stamp]]s, free school lunches, and [[Medicaid]]. There is no evidence that anyone has ever been helped by welfare; in fact, some conservatives believe that welfare hurts the disadvantaged. |