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According to the U.S. Census, in the first quarter of 2010, nearly half of the population (48.5%) lived in a household that had at least one member who received some kind of government benefit. This record-high represents a 9% increase since the third quarter of 2008, amidst the global financial crisis. This data highlights not only the severity of the collapse, but also the increase in government benefits over the decades that have served to fill only a partial economic gap that has been created due trade policies that have impoverished tens of millions, as of jobs have been outsourced.

Washington distributes tax dollars based on a variety of mechanisms. By far, the most common and largest benefits arise from the various means-tested programs specifically designed to help the needy. In 2010, needs-based programs accounted for the largest share of recipients, with approximately 34.2% of Americans living in households that received benefits such as food stamps, subsidized housing, cash welfare or Medicaid. An additional 14.5% lived in homes where someone was on Medicare. And nearly 16% lived in households receiving Social Security.

The State of Poverty in the US