New Common Sense: What the Left Misunderstands About Poverty and Dependency

APRIL 09, 2013    |   Discover more at Heritage's First Principles webpage What the Left Misunderstands about Poverty and Dependency Jim DeMint kicked off his first day as President of the Heritage Foundation with a letter celebrating the American spirit and lamenting the damage done to our national character by the Left’s limitless welfare state: “Liberal policies have destroyed families and communities and created dependence on government. Putting our society back together will require work.” Not surprisingly, DeMint’s message failed to resonate with The Huffington Post. Author Ryan Grim responded that “government assistance has led to a dramatic decline in poverty since the days when poor people were left to their own devices.” Is the choice really only between government help or callous indifference to the plight of others? The Father of the Constitution George Washington has a monument. Thomas Jefferson has a memorial. Heck, even James Buchanan has a spot in Washington, D.C. There’s no slab of marble in honor of James Madison. But there is a document. Budgeting is Governing Both the Senate and the House passed a budget resolution. It’s about time! Without budgeting Congress abdicates its constitutional policymaking role. Choosing how to allocate resources among the government’s activities is a fundamental part of governing. When Congress neglects this work, it accelerates a dangerous concentration of power in the executive branch and the administrative state. Quote of the Week "There is a contagion in example which few men have sufficient force of mind to resist." - Alexander Hamilton For more quotes, visit westillholdthesetruths.org     About The Heritage Foundation Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute — a think tank — whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. The Heritage Foundation | 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 | 202.546.4400 | heritage.org