When did the taxpayers start supporting full time workers with low income? (Iraq, Afghanistan)

[I'm Retired Now]

There has been a lot of stories in the news about how much the taxpayers are paying to subsidize the lifestyle of the working poor. I have relatives (husband and wife) who both work full time but get the following taxpayer benefits:

Food Stamps
Reduced cost for the kids lunches at school
Section Eight Housing
Subsidy for Utilities
Earned Income Tax Credit
Medicaid

Put me back into the 1950s and 1960s and the family is a member of the working poor, low skills, just a high school graduate, and both the husband and wife are working full time. Did these programs exist back then and were the taxpayers supporting their lifestyle and poor life choices?

When did all these programs to support the working poor start? Your thoughts.

[volosong]

Back then, they were called "second jobs". I can't remember a time when my dad didn't work a second job, and some times he worked a third. (Maybe he did that so that my mom could be a stay-at-home mom?)

[lycos679]

It dates back to the 20's or 30's depending on what specific program you are asking about.

[01Snake]

When people decided to make a career out of menial jobs like flipping burgers or stocking shelves at a grocery store.

[malamute]

These programs are a form of corporate welfare. The CEOs love having taxpayer subsidized cheap labor.

[Goinback2011]

Most people had too much pride to accept handouts. Until recently.

Also most of this welfare didnt exist until the last 20 years or so.

[Tassy001]

People have become lazy and believe they are owed the hand outs.

There is a difference from someone what truly needs a TEMPORARY helping hand and someone who spends years on some form of welfare.

[I'm Retired Now]

Most people don't understand that the government can't just print money forever so they think the government has unlimited funds.

[aus10]

Originally Posted by I'm Retired Now

Most people don't understand that the government can't just print money forever so they think the government has unlimited funds.

Exactly... and most also believe when you default that the debt goes into some big black hole never to be seen again, since they no longer consider themselves owing it.... oh... it just went into the "bad debt column on someone's balance sheet."

[Surftown831]

Great question OP. I'm also wondering when did it become acceptable for tax payers to support people in third world countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. Trillions of dollars are going to hospitals, health, food, schools, infrastructure, etc. Conservatives never complain about this and even defend it. It's just international welfare and I don't like my taxes going towards it.