Before Lyndon Johnson left the White House in 1969, it had already become apparent that his War on Poverty had resulted in some harmful, unintended consequences–especially increases in illegitimacy and dependency on government.  As of 2022, about 40% of births in America were out of wedlock, and nearly half of all American children were receiving some form of public assistance.

Since 2003, about half of the births in Arizona have been paid for by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Arizona’s version of Medicaid.  This is unsustainable.

Government at any level should not compel taxpayers to do things for strangers that they would not do even for their own children.  I believe that most parents would not tolerate drug use, sexual promiscuity, or membership in criminal street gangs by children still dependent on them financially.  The state has no right to use tax money to subsidize such irresponsible or criminal behavior.

It is family, friends, neighbors, and philanthropic organizations that should play the largest roles in charity work, not government.  With rare exceptions such as natural disasters or acts of war, I feel that the federal government has no business engaging in charity work.  The Welfare State is one of the things that have hurt America the most over the last 60 years.  It has greatly undermined Americans’ self-reliance and cost many trillions of dollars.  It is imperative that America work patiently and consistently to shrink and eventually eliminate federal public welfare programs.

America should strive to be the best place possible for people who live within the law and pay their own way.  Public policies guided by fiscal responsibility, law and order, and less government would help achieve that.

Paid for by John J Lyon for US Senate