A common criticism of government programs that are designed to assist the poor is that
A)those who receive assistance rarely meet the criterion for eligibility.
B)the majority of those below the poverty line refuse to accept government assistance.
C)they create incentives for people to become "needy."
D)they typically account for a majority of annual government expenditures.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This criticism argues that government programs that provide assistance to the poor create dependency and discourage self-sufficiency, leading to an increase in the number of people who rely on government aid. It suggests that people will purposely become "needy" to take advantage of the assistance programs. However, there is little evidence to support this claim. Studies have shown that the majority of those who receive government aid are genuinely in need and would not be able to survive without it.

A Common Criticism of Government Programs That Are Designed to Assist