"We"? You expect Congress to vote in something to make them work harder? It's the usual problem: those in power have no interest in making their lives harder, just easier.

"Countries that suck" is a bit simplistic.

The UK used to treat poor people like that, or worse. Used to place loads in poor houses to "punish" them. Didn't really help matters.

In your scheme what do you do with those that take drugs, go to bars and are poor? OK, not give them any money, so then what? Send them to jail? In the end you're paying a lot more per person than giving them some welfare!