Yes David but the expansion of direct welfare programs is only part of the expanding interventionism the whole country's sprinting ahead with. It's a self fueling fire.
Barely a month goes by where we don't hear of some new law or regulation that takes control over your property and what you can do with your property as well as what you may own and in the worst cases what you're required to own. That's a direct form of spending other peoples money that's worse because it prevents economic activity and increases the cost of everything.
There's no sign of it slowing down. Elections don't seem to be having any effect.
The increasing monetry reward parlimentary service has awarded itself is a problem IMO. It's created the wrong motivation. Suspect that influences the tendency to say yes to those rent seekers that walk into the office.
Don't know the answer. There's a place for the state. We probably had it closer to the right place thirty years ago. Trouble is we've got a generation voting now who've never known any different to what we have now and can't see any problem with it.

Dear Alan,

Yes, but how many Donalds have you met?
How many blind horses? How many one-legged jockeys?

What about yourself? Would you not pay your taxes if they were voluntary?

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Dear Jamo,

«Don't know the answer. There's a place for the state. We probably had it closer to the right place thirty years ago.»

The root problem is overpopulation.

Thirty years ago we had fewer people on this planet.

The more people being squeezed on the same land, the more regulations are needed to keep them from stepping on each other's toes. Also the more rent-seekers need an office to survive. Also the more technology is needed to keep them alive, thus more regulations of that technology are also needed.

It is very sad and doesn't get any better.

The good news is that within a few decades, we personally will no longer be here to endure it.

If you want the world to be better and freer, don't bring any new humans into it!

The best political quote I have heard about opm was by Tony Abbott, when he said, and I quote "the law makers have to understand that the decisions they make and the laws they pass, don't have any real effect on their lifestyle choices" end quote.
Never has a truer word been spoken because for someone who needs 100% of their income, just to survive, can not find that extra 20 bucks a week.