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Why America Lost the War on Poverty
The letter argues anti-poverty programs employ millions of government workers and contractors whose livelihoods depend on program continuation.
On Sept. 21, critics observed that the War on Poverty has created a vast bureaucracy, arguing that poverty often stems from personal choices rather than societal oppression.
Why work when nearly 100 government programs provide food, housing, transportation and other handouts? First, the system employs countless bureaucrats and contractors at federal, state and local levels.
For example, some 38 million to 42 million people collect food stamps, which critics describe as a learned voluntary lifestyle on the public dole rather than temporary help.
Each and every government employee receives a paycheck through this system, raising questions about whether programs prioritize bureaucratic survival over actual poverty reduction.
The war is proof that good intentions do not produce good outcomes, critics argue, suggesting policy must shift from relieving poverty symptoms to preventing poverty itself.