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Name:Date:Period:Article Title: “One Nation on Welfare. Living Your Life on the Dole.”The Governments role in the U.S. Economy is debated continually by Democrats and Republicans. Since their parties were created, each has had entirely different views relative to the role the Governments should assume in economic activity. Traditionally speaking, Democrats favor larger government with increased influence over economic activity, while Republicans have favored smaller government with limited involvement in the nation’s economy. Regardless of political party affiliation, ALL American citizens enjoy the benefits of government spending in ways they may not necessarily realize.The Tea Party (a conservative Republican group angered by overspending in Washington) has argued that the Obama administrations overspending and “Big Government [is] a threat to liberty, redistributing wealth from honorable Americans to undeserving moochers, from taxpaying makers to freeloading takers” (Grunwald). This is a common argument made by many Republicans who feel that the government spends far too much money on social welfare programs, typically referred to as handouts. The handout programs most often mentioned include food stamps, unemployment benefits, and other spending programs that typically benefit lower and middle income families. Grunwald argues that few Americans realize the extent to which government spending influences everyone’s lives. We don’t see big business complaining about the tax breaks their corporations receive, or the wealthy complain about mortgage – interest deductions, or investors declining to benefit from interest loopholes that allow them to pay taxes at levels similar to custodians. Both sides (Democrats and Republicans) benefit from certain aspects of government spending. At some point in time every American will benefit from monies spent on sewage treatment, road development, defense spending, educational expenditures, tax deductions and or exemptions, etc. Both sides of the argument are technically correct. “Liberals (Democrats) are correct that we rely on government much more than we realize. Conservatives (Republicans) are correct that government tries to do too many things” (Grunwald).The issue of government spending is regularly discussed during political campaigns and on the news. What I liked most about this article is that the author did not take a one sided view toward the issue of government spending. He made it clear that government spending does not solely benefit one class of people or another. Additionally, he argued that despite ones feelings toward government spending there is a very simple problem. The problem is “we currently pay 2.5 trillion dollars [in taxes] and pay out 3.8 trillion dollars [in expenditures]” (Grunwald). It does not take a mathematician to realize that this deficit will continue to grow unless the Government reduces its spending or increases taxes. ................
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