I've been following the thread with interest. I can see just about everyone's point of view on this one. Having been on the receiving end of welfare, I know how difficult it can be and how shameful it can feel when you have no alternative but to take advantage of what some call a 'handout'.
Being on the other end of the spectrum these days, I feel fortunate that I have a job, can insure my daughters' health, I was able to help easy child attend college, we have enough to eat, we have great medical care, and still have some left $$ over to share with others.
Despite the varying degrees of welfare programs state to state, I still thank god I live in the US. When I'm fed up with our government (which is often and the particular party is of no consequence), just like everyone else, I threaten to leave. But the truth is, I still feel fortunate that I was born American and I still believe that each of us can make a life for ourselves, despite our origins. And I still believe that I'd rather live here than anywhere else in the world.
Back before there were organized school districts, all children were home schooled....think about that a minute. There is nothing stopping any parent from educating their child outside of what their schools teach them. Educating and providing for our children is not a governmental responsibility, in my opinion, it is a parental responsibility. Likewise with ensuring our child's immediate safety, health, etc. If your district isn't doing enough, isn't exposing your child to enough culture/arts/literature, diversity, etc., make it happen, do it at home, visit libraries and museums. I'm so tired of hearing the cry that our schools are not teaching our kids. When my kids' schools neglected to cover ANY black history - I taught it to them...I sought out materials and taught them myself. When our schools neglected to teach our children about the Vietnam war - I taught it to them. When they weren't teaching organized vocabulary and spelling - I taught it to them. I hate that so many people have shifted all the basic responsibilities of raising children onto our government and that's what I'm hearing from everyone everywhere.
If we don't want the government in our business, then start taking back personal responsibility for yourself and your families - maybe then we'll achieve better ratings on silly surveys like this one. I don't like these kinds of surveys because it is impossible to capture all relevant data across the country. There are so many pockets of poverty and wealth and that can skew the date immensely.