As I mentioned earlier, the concept of social welfare programs as we understand them today did not exist during the time of the founding fathers, so they did not specifically criticize or endorse the idea. However, some of the founding fathers did express concern about the potential for government to overstep its bounds and infringe upon individual liberty.Were the concepts of social welfare programs criticized by the founding fathers? Are the concepts of social welfare programs congruent with the concepts of liberty and personal responsibility?
For example, Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that one of the reasons for separating from Great Britain was that the King had "erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance." Later in his presidency, Jefferson expressed concern about the growth of government and warned that "the natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground."
That being said, it is worth noting that the concept of social welfare is not inherently opposed to the principles of liberty and personal responsibility. In fact, some scholars have argued that providing a basic level of economic security can actually enhance individual freedom by allowing people to pursue their goals and aspirations without fear of extreme poverty or deprivation.
Furthermore, many social welfare programs are designed to promote personal responsibility by providing support and resources for individuals to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. For example, job training programs, educational support, and childcare assistance can all help people to become more self-sufficient and achieve greater success in their personal lives.
In sum, while some of the founding fathers expressed concern about the potential for government overreach, the concept of social welfare is not inherently in conflict with the principles of liberty and personal responsibility, and can instead be seen as promoting both economic security and individual freedoms.