Democrat says Welfare is a Narcotic

State of the Union 1935
President Franklin D. Roosevelt

The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber.

To dole our relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is in violation of the traditions of America.

The Federal Government must and shall quit this business of
relief.

I am not willing that the vitality of our people be further sapped by
the giving of cash, of market baskets, of a few hours of weekly work cutting grass, raking leaves, or picking up papers in the public parks.

We must preserve not only the bodies of the unemployed from destitution but also their self-respect, their self-reliance, and courage and determination.

The CATO Institute has an interesting article on this subject. WELFARE AND THE CULTURE OF POVERTY by William A. Niskanen