thegrover Loc: Yorba Linda, CA

I just spent five weeks in Australia visiting family and they are doing quite well. Thank you for your concern.

BigDonM Loc: Brighton, Michigan

When The US was founded there was no welfare, free medical or social security. The people worked for what they had. The country grew and prospered. The free stuff is ruining this country.

eye2eye Loc: Chicago, Illinois

[quote=Terrymac]CAN AUSTRALIA,ENGLAND AND CANADA SURVIVE.... GIVEN THE FOLLOWING?

Thomas Jefferson said it best: “Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not€.”

Funny, how we in America, hang onto every word of the Constitution and use it in justifying our thoughts and actions. Making references of how insightful our forefathers were in their forward thinking. But on something like welfare, we are just going to ignore what they had to say about it. Pity.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

We have one of those people living in our home right now. He is my wife's 40 year old son from a previous marriage. He got the bright idea of going on disability in order to get out of paying the large amount of back child support that he owed. He found a way to do it. It kind of backfired on him though.

He gets 3 checks every month from state and Federal governments. It is a nice chunk of change. The problem he has though is that $900.00 of it is taken out every month to repay the child support anyway.

Now then, he also has some sort of escrow account put in place by the government and there is a lot of money in it. He keeps griping that he wants "His" money now!

His money? Where does he get off saying that it is his money? It is my money and other taxpayer's money! It is not his money. I just want to punch him in the mouth every time he says this.

He is living rent free, has a nicer truck than I do which he does not have to pay the insurance on, and yes, he even has a cell phone-a nice one.

He goes around to thrift stores and garage sales buying crap and then re-sells it on Ebay. He makes about $1,000.00 a month doing this. With this extra money he can certainly afford to get his own place. But this means that he will have to keep working if he ever decides to quit the Ebay thing.

Yep. we are a welfare state; even in our own home.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

And my point is:

Drugs - Get Lost
Smoking - Get Losst
Overweight - Get Lost
Multiple Cars - Get Lost
Multiple LCD Televisions - Get Lost
Welfare Card for beer / Smokes / Snacks - Get Lost

I'd keep going but just get a headache.

Yes, there are those that deserve help.....But help getting a job, not more freebies.

Sarge69

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

In the UK - costs have gone up through;
Letting people from other countries come over for free treatment.
Too much bureaucracy.
Extreme inefficiency and lack-luster performance by over paid managers.

You must also take into account that there are probably hundreds of thousands who have worked most of their life - only to be put out of work by the Tory policies and more recently the c**.k-ups made by the banks here and in America.

Those who can pay for private treatment are the lucky ones - those who have to rely on the NHS take pot luck on whether they get a good doctor or surgeon - or even if they can actually speak English!

Also remember the retired people who have a severely reduced pension now again due to the c**.k-ups made by the banks here and in America.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

He's 40 years old and still living with mommy??? Ever heard the word "enabler". Kick his ass out! force him to grow up or live under a bridge. My guess is he'd just find someone else to sponge off of. Sorry one of my pet peeves.

4uiprnt Loc: Iowa

In my humble opinion, the reason this is happening is that we are all human beings & as such we will always be looking for the most we can get with the least amount of effort. There is a huge lack of moral compass in humanity today. We live in a secular society where we can set the rules for what is right for us and we don't have to worry what anyone else thinks because there are no higher standards being set for society by anyone who is "In Charge" We let it happen because we keep re-electing the government that will give us the most without us having to work for it. Unfortunately someone has to pay the price someday & it will all come crashing down when the people paying for it get fed up and say to hell with it. Why should I work & pay for someone else when they won't fend for themselves.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Couldn't agree more we need to stop enabling the deadbeat freeloaders.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Mind if I start a 'write-in campaign' for you as President ? I like your thoughts and I don't care if you're white or black, republican or democrat'

Sarge69

4uiprnt Loc: Iowa

Thanks sarge, I have always looked forward to your comments on many subjects. Unfortunately with my attitude there would only be 2 votes out there. Yours & mine.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

No shit. I don't get it either. My wife is the poster child for enablers.

rrforster12 Loc: Leesburg Florida

I don't know much about Australia but here in the USA I believe we have passed the tipping point where there are more people on the dole scamming money from the public coffers then are paying in to them, and that trend is only growing. I believe that the vast majority of those collecting the "long-term" freebie's (extended unemployment benefits and disability payments)are also working "off the books". Then we have the huge scam of so-called "students" getting government subsidy's and loans that will never be repaid. Even a casual look at what those funds are used for show that the majority of the money given to the typical "student" goes for car payments, rent, and normal living expenses. Apparently no one cares about all of this tax money being siphoned off as the number of recipients just keep growing. Our country's tax receipts have never been higher, but the demand FOR EVER MORE $ from our current administration keeps up. It seems to me that if the freebie givaways are not tightened up really soon, there won't be enough for anyone to get help.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

I wonder, looking back, if the 47% Romney spoke of actually exist out there or is it ACTUALLY MORE ?

Just saying

Sarge69

eye2eye Loc: Chicago, Illinois

That's because most politicians are scared if they take something away or fix something broken, that they will not be re-elected. What they don't realize is that a lot of people would re-elect someone who posses common sense and logic. Unfortunately, nobody with these qualifications has bothered to throw their hat in the ring. Ugly, dirty politics.