The Welfare State Robs Peter to Pay Peter

null By Judge GlockJan. 15, 2024 6:26 pm ETJournal Editorial Report: The week's best and worst from Kim Strassel, Kyle Peterson, Jason Riley and Dan Henninger. Images: AP/AFP/Getty Images/wawog_now via Instagram Composite: Mark KellyThe American welfare state is built on the idea of taxing those who are better off to give to those who are in need. Yet in today’s massive welfare state, many who receive benefits from the government also pay substantial taxes. New research by the Manhattan Institute analyzes the amount of government benefits that are offset by taxes on the same households in the same year. The report estimates that about 20% of government benefits are returned to the government through taxes. That means that in 2022 almost $800 billion—or roughly what the government spent on defense—went out one door and in another. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8Sponsored OffersTurboTax: Extra 10% Off online federal produc

A person who loves writing, loves novels, and loves life.Seeking objective truth, hoping for world peace, and wishing for a world without wars.

Opinion Jan 16, 2024 Add to Reading List

The Welfare State Robs Peter to Pay Peter

null

Judge Glock

Jan. 15, 2024 6:26 pm ET

Journal Editorial Report: The week's best and worst from Kim Strassel, Kyle Peterson, Jason Riley and Dan Henninger. Images: AP/AFP/Getty Images/wawog_now via Instagram Composite: Mark Kelly

The American welfare state is built on the idea of taxing those who are better off to give to those who are in need. Yet in today’s massive welfare state, many who receive benefits from the government also pay substantial taxes.

New research by the Manhattan Institute analyzes the amount of government benefits that are offset by taxes on the same households in the same year. The report estimates that about 20% of government benefits are returned to the government through taxes. That means that in 2022 almost $800 billion—or roughly what the government spent on defense—went out one door and in another.