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Since 2000, there has been a
record increase in US social programs including college aid, health
care and food stamps. Between 2000 and 2005, enrollment increased
17%. The population grew 5%. |
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This is the
largest 5-year increase since President Johnson's 1960-era Great
Society started these giveaway entitlements. The cost to the US
government for these programs was $1.3 trillion in 2005. That is up
an inflation-adjusted 22% since 2000. |
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These
so-called entitlement payments account for over half of all federal
spending. |
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Three-quarters of the cost
increase was due to an enrollment increase. The remaining 25%
increase resulted from higher benefits. |
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Social
Security and Medicare payments were not a factor in the massive
increase in costs to the federal government. Those retirement
programs will not experience major increases until 2008, when 79
million baby-boomers start to become eligible for Social Security.
They will start to become eligible for Medicare in 2011. |
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Specific
programs that grew over the past years include those given to the
under-65-year-old population. |
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Congress has
simplified application for these so-called entitlement programs and
expanded their benefits. |