Use of government programs in the US...

Here's a fascinating map of the US, courtesy of the New York Times. The map shows the percentage of personal income coming from government benefits. In 1969, government benefits accounted for 8% of personal income in the US; in 2009, 18%. The breakdown goes as far as the county level.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/02/12/us/entitlement-map.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2