When did we, as a country, come to believe it is the governments responsibility to take care of us?
155721
In Europe and around the world, there has always been a strong element of people feeling that it is the government's job to take care of people, but this has not historically been the case in America because people have come to America *fleeing* government in order to make a new life for themselves.\n\nI think the problem really started with Keynes and the idea that men in government could manipulate the economy for the better of everyone.  Unfortunately, leading to and during the first part of the Great Depression, our government misguidedly inflated the money supply to a very large extent, distorting prices and capital investment.  Like a rubber band being pulled back, it had to snap.\n\nHoover tried many big-government solutions to the depression which only made things worse.  FDR campaigned that Hoover was doing the wrong then, then got elected and did the same thing, only more so.  All the big-government "solutions" only further distorted the economy (preventing the rubber band from snapping back correctly.)\n\nIn FDR's mad dash to spend as much government money as possible in order to stimulate the economy, he started Social Security, unemployment, welfare, and a host of other programs.  I think a combination of the dispair at the economy and the ease to sit back and let government handle things was the beginning of dependence.\n\nAs generation after generation grows up with the huge safety net paid for by those who don't need it (from each according to ability, to each according to need) then people know that they don't have to be successful and take care of themselves, because the goverment will have to be there for them.\n\nBy all means, help a deserving person out who can use help, but the automatic help for anyone, regardless of whether they deserve it or not is the real poison.
915803
=because even though this is a free country, and we refer to free society, government and society rule all of us because "they" know what is best for each and every one of us!!!  Evidently we are not responsible enough for decision making, so "they" do it for our own well being.
887786
When our ancestors lived under the rule of royality ,they had no rights .\nThey were to praise the king and queen ,not question their authority or refuse to pay unfair taxes.\nWhen they left England they came with the idea on how not to live .\nThey set up a government accordingly.
820620
Its not okay for the governement to lie to us. But they have since governemnt began
14662
Well, in school, I have an assignment to find articles relating to this same line from Hamlet. We must not let a corrupt government lead us, as must continuously check and balance its power, such as our society does.
890685
It established our individual rights.. thus keeping the government from abusing their power.
923899
All these answers are biased to the US approach to health care. If you really want to argue the two sides of this question, you are going to have to do so on the merits of whether the government should provide health care as a "social good" that all citizens deserve, or whether the individual is solely responsible for health care, and "deserves" not to get it if they can't afford it.\n\nPersonally, I would argue that the Government should provide some level of health insurance as a basic "common good". Otherwise, there is a significant bias against the poor, who are often also the ones who cannot afford / do not have employers who provide health care insurance. Also, a group payer (like the government) can have much more influence on how health care is delivered and what the costs will be. Individual payers (like HMOs, for instance) can influence only within a small subsection of the overall country -- and, as has been attested to by many, often influence negatively in terms of treatment options and so on. A broader based payer can also influence a broader base, and can bring some fairness to how treatment options are applied. \n\nHowever, the government is not responsible for every whim of the individual. I don't think the government should pay for all kinds of care, nor do I think that the government has to treat individuals as unable to manage their own health decisions, by regulating alternative health care and the like. So, I think that it should be a combination of individual responsibility with government responsibility, with as much individual choice and as little regulation as possible.
1139719
Um because the government runs the country
194976
I don't think it's so much a matter of people being too dependant on authority as it is a matter of people not wanting to take responsibility for themselves any more. People need to be told what to do nowadays because they don't like thinking for themselves, don't like having to be the one responsible if something happens that they don't like, don't like being the reason for something happening that doesn't benefit themselves.\n\nIt's a sad world that we have birthed, and our children are going to pay dearly for it.
567736
Because we deserve it.  We were born. Our parents took care of us.  Who else will?  We deserve to play video games all day and eat twinkies and not pay a dime for anything.  Simply because we were born.  We deserve to have A's in school because we occasionally show up.  We deserve to be paid high wages because we show up occasionally to work and do most of what we're asked if we feel like it.  We are cool people.  Why is there a government if they won't take care of us?
334606
why is it up to the government?? people in our nation want everything done for them and they don't want to pick up and do it. it's up to each individual person to make sure that out planet is taken care of. and honestly why does it matter about the governements plans an laws??they are broken EVERY DAY! speeding, burglary, murder, drugs.. it happens everyday why do people think if the government is involved that it will all the sudden get better??
1167423
Lack of personal responsibility.
590264
Yes, being president always means more responsibility to do for this country, but you can manage that with that power you have had.
770745
Hey There pingavar, I have a question for you. Don't you think the government has enough control over the people? Have you ever heard the phrase "God helps those who help themselves" ? We are our brothers keepers and as such we should all help one another in each of our needs regardless of the beneficial return to our selves.          \nDid you know that all of the services that the government provides are paid for by our taxes? So, what is the problem with people helping people and leaving the government out of it and letting them do the job of running the country and defending our country. It won't hurt us to use some of our time and resources to help the less fortunate.  God Bless you, and check into the actual functioning of government before you try to lay every thing at their feet.
160139
Well, I wouldn't say that we aren't getting cared for, but I see your point. The U.S. government gets into other countries' business a lot. They throw millions of bucks into these causes without asking. They think they are doing good, which they could be doing. But what if they MADE SURE we were O.K. first, and THEN got OUR support on the project? Easier and better solution.
161111
me neither, but america is supposed to be responsible for americans, some are not eligible for medicaid or medicare,welfare or other care,so the hit the streets,along with there children. but since they are already here, the government doesnt need to make thim friends, so they are forgotten,rather than take care of your own.\nkinda like teddy right,veterans we will take care of you, now it is only if you have other insuraance and are 100%, not 80 or 70, or just missing one leg, or arm or and eye and a arm, it is 100% service coonected.\nwell what about the 100% american citizen, like i said they dont need made friends with, and we need more quick food stop owners and cabbies for when all the american die off:)
213278
Its a matter of preception. If you believe that this country is responsible for the welfare of its citizens then yes. If you believe that everyone can help themselves, then no