The number of Americans on welfare today has reached 12 million, an all-time high, demonstrating its importance in government. Americans who don't benefit from welfare complain about the injustice it causes, but they have yet to come up with a better plan. Changing these government assistance programs seems easier than it actually is, because while it may get rid of those who take advantage of the free money, it also leaves many helpless Americans to fend for themselves. In a society where Americans are compensated for idleness through government social programs, there are many church institutions that seek to reclaim dependent Americans by teaching self-sufficiency using more organized and functional welfare programs, hence the government and people of United States would benefit greatly. The US welfare system was designed with good intentions, but has since been abused by indolent but capable Americans. Although some welfare groups existed before the Great Depression, that was when major welfare programs began. According to Fred I. Greenstein of Princeton University, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established numerous government assistance programs as part of his “New Deal” coalition, offering public service jobs to families without sufficient other work (78 ). In an effort to stimulate the economy, FDR created what is considered his greatest achievement as president. During Bill Clinton's presidency, welfare reform became a priority, and thanks to Republican ideas borrowed from Clinton, thousands of people were able to find jobs (Barbour 242). Both presidents have made incredible attempts just trying to create a welfare system that works, but listening to people's voices and solving problems. Under Principal...... half of the document ......ica the Employee.'” Investor's Business Daily. October 28, 2013: A11. Regional economic news. Network. 15 November 2013 “Library: principle of subsidiarity and the 'welfare state' – Catholic culture.” www.CatholicCulture.org. Np 2009. Web. 15 November 2013. Pomeroy, Ann. “Welfare-to-Work: a work in progress”. HR Journal 2(2008):34. eLibrary. Network. November 14, 2013.Schaefer Riley, Naomi. “A welfare system that works”. www.Philanthropyroundtable.org. Philanthropy Roundtable, 2013. Web. November 18, 2013. “Welfare and Self-Reliance.” www.mormonnewsroom.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2013. Web. November 15, 2013. “Welfare State.” Hutchinson Encyclopedia. 2011. eLibrary. Network. November 15, 2013. Whelchel, Hugh and Anne Bradley, PhD. “Why welfare should respect the dignity of work”. www.tifwe.org. Institute for Faith, Work and Economics, 2013. Web. 18 November. 2013.