Do Americans expect their Government to "take care of them"?

Question

Anytime Americans get in trouble they expect the gov to "support them".Am I right?

Answer 1

I would say some American's do....Entitlement.....

I sure don't.....I don't want the govt interfering or taking care of me....Less is more, when it comes to govt....

Answer 2

To the extent that we created the government with certain functions and pay taxes to fund certain services, you bet. Say if the trash didn't get picked up for a month, you might figure the Mayor didn't do their job and vote him out.

On the other hand, in an emergency or tragedy when people are doing their best, I am shocked by the lack of gratitude of people, say in Katrina, for the government being there to bail them out. The same thing happened with the evacuations of Lebanon, there is actually a law suit against the government for not getting more out faster, as if they had a contract with the government for just that thing.

We are very fortunate to have the safeguards and protections our government gives us, and of course that is due to the way we formed our government. However, we are supposed to be self reliant first, with the government as back up, as can be arranged.

What ever happened to Yankee ingenuity?

Answer 3

Well, if you critically think about what a government's job is, you'll find there is no reason other than to take care of its people that it even exists.

You should go read the United States constitution, and ask yourself, "Why would they put that in there." For each passage. Keep in mind that if you take the question to its furthest extent, you'll arrive at "It was made for the wellbeing of those regarded as United State's citizens."

So yes, as an American, I expect the government by the people, to take care of the people.

That does not necessarily mean I believe in handouts. And you're reading this with a lot of bias if you come to that conclusion.

Answer 4

Not the Republicans. We are for less government intervention and more personal responsibility. We want lower taxes so WE THE PEOPLE can decide how to spend our own money.

Liberals want the government to take care of everything, The people in hurricane Katrina were told to evacuate DAYS before the hurricane hit. When they didn't listen and needed help - they blamed the government and wanted handouts.

Answer 5

WTF??? Where do you get that idea? I think that the government should only help those who can't help themselves. If you're talking welfare, if they can get up and work, then get them up and working. Clinton had it right, he had a training program. If you were on welfare, you had to go to the training. Better job skills, better job, the less likely you were to be on it.

If you have a serious disability that renders you unable to work, then yes. But if you receive welfare just to receive welfare, then you need to get slapped back down. There was a rapper that bragged about receiving welfare and MTV even showed him cashing a welfare check and trading in food stamps for cash. That p*ssed me off. I think he got busted for it, but the penalty was so light. I think welfare fraud should have a stiffer penalty.

And to Mr. E Man, if republicans stand for less government and more personal responsibility, then why has theis administration stepped in assaulted states rights? Why is this administration so hell bent on gay marriage ban? California voted overwhelmingly for the use of mecinal marijuana yet the government stepped in and said it was a no-no. Oregon overwhelmingly voted to okay euthanasia for the terminally ill. Again, the government stepped in and said that a person couldn't die with the dignity they want. Now the federal government is stepping forward and saying what two adults do behind closed doors is the governments business.
That's a weird way of Republicans showing the less is more kind of government they preach about.

Answer 6

I find it interesting that every other industrialized country has multiple, well organized, safety nets for when their people find themselves in trouble.

America is the richest country by far, has citizens who put in longer working hours and have higher productivity than those other country's' workers.

In contrast when one of us suddenly finds ourselves in trouble, we are made to feel like burdens to society. Just because we work, pay high fed, state, and sales taxes, we should be crazy enough to expect anything in return from our government.

Unlike the corporations and the rich who avoid paying taxes at every opportunity, and then get million in benefits.

To quote Allanis Morrisette: "Isn't it ironic" Oh that's right she doesn't have to deal with this nonsense. She's Canadian!

Answer 7

Some sure do. Look at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Ten minutes after the storm passed, people were standing in front of the Superdome screaming- "Help! Help! Help!".

They wanted the gov't to step in and feed and house them, just because they were too lazy and/or irresponsible to prepare themselves.

Answer 8

Well it seems to me that it isn't ' the legal Americans we can not get help. I know from experience. My husband and I both lost our jobs in the same month.

WE had nothing so I went down to try and get Food stamps cuz we also have a three year old son.
I was denied. Denied Food. While I seen with my own eyes that people that didn't' speak English got FOOD stamps.
AS I walk out to my car I sat in my car.
And these people that just got handed FREEBIES were driving a brand new LEXUS

I pay taxes and in a time of need yes it would of been nice to have my government help me out.

Answer 9

Some of them do indeed. Many don't, many would rather the government keep its meddling fingers out of their lives.

Remember, no matter what country you live in, 9 dangerous words apply in many instances, "I'm from the government, I am here to help."

If you hear those words when you haven't asked for anything, RUN, help is not what they have in mind.

Answer 10

Pancha, the word expect is a very strong word..but what i see happen time and time again is a perfect example of Runtoli..I too have had that same example...I think the word expect isn't the right word to be used here...I think that most...just like you tell us most Mexicans...don't do things a certain way...but again...you have to know that when someone who has paid taxes into a program that is supposed to be there to help assist them...and gets denied and you are walking out of the building wondering what you are going to do how you are going to pay your bills feed the kids...ect...and some people get assist. when they cannot speak English----> you know its enough to make me sick.

Answer 11

A friend of mine he is an American citizen, withe,20 years old strong guy, healthy finish HS live with his dad and get 245.00 in stamps to get food, he watch TV 24/7 or plays video games and like him there is hundreds. Oh yes hi smock pot 2 or 3 times a day and complain about illegals taking his job.