I agree with everything aside from the last sentence. Having been raised in the U.K., lived in Germany, and now between NYC and upstate NY, I have had the benefit of living in a socialized democracy (which is not Marxism or Communism). The U.S. has had socialist programs for decades; teachers, civil servants, firemen, army, military, medicare - there are far more government funded services we all use than the supposed "handouts" that were once established under good pretense in rough times such as "The Great Depression", post World War economies, racial bias around the mid-20th century, etc. It is a shame some programs have become abused. Having studied in American history purely out of interest, you would be surprised that the generation who benefitted from aid were ashamed and worked hard to better themselves to become independent. This was in a time when people worked hard, and the system helped them achieve a better life, benefiting the country as a whole by strengthening our education system and workforce. Two or three generations later, and the system devolved by those taking advantage of it without using it for bettering their lives.
Pres. Obama has actually cut a lot of funding for such programs, or at least retooled them. I was recently shocked to learn that the GWB administration established the most social programs than any President to date. Look into that fact, it shocked the **** out of me.
