Take a look at that chart. You probably did a double-take. Maybe you think you misread it. Surely it can’t be what it looks like it is. Right? Wrong. It’s exactly how it appears. And it’s just as scary as it sounds.

In February 2007, about 26 million Americans were on food stamps. Now the number rests at 44 million Americans. About one in seven Americans are reliant upon welfare for their basic food needs. It’s an increase of more than 59% in just four years.

The average benefit per person per month? $133.24. A family of four would receive $532.96 per month. For doing nothing but existing. Ever wonder where the money taken out of your paycheck is going? Now you know. It’s going to send 44 million people an average of $133.24 per month simply to exist.

Slowly but surely the left is accomplishing its goal of making all Americans dependent upon the government. It’s the inevitable end result of decades of an entitlement mindset, combined with an economic recovery plan that involves addressing the symptoms rather than the underlying cause.