This was a very informative piece I must say. I'm quite ignorant in politics, and I don't really care to educate myself at this age because of the lack of impact I would have in general. But, I do want to say, in a government its essential that you realize its a contract between the people. Government was made to protect its people and although considering all your points, which almost all are valid, i think its illogical for you to create such a great post and say when you take money from the rich and give it to the poor, your taking away from people who are trying and giving it to people who aren't. There are some who gain the system and use it for their own will, but what about your grandma. Just an example, but what if she was sick and needed medical insurance. But she didn't have medicare or social security to cover her bills. Well, she'll be piled and accumulate a large sum of debt, or possibly the hospital may refuse her service entirely. I can go on with different scenario, but I just think you have to look at it from the suffering side that is getting help. These are other human beings that unfortunately can't support themselves. And that's why the government steps in. A lot of "poor" people need these programs just to survive because they aren't able to do so on their own. Are you saying that you can't share wealth amoungst your fellow needing country men?
Sorry if i took anything out of context or completely understood. Like I said i'm uneducated on this sort of thing. Great post though!
I do understand your point of view. But we do have to ask ourselves If that isolated example is the rule, and If that rule applies in all the scenarios. I live in a socialist country. I do know quite well how the welfare's state can destroy the independence and the emancipation of the human beings. When you fill people with tons of programmes they stop doing things based on merit. We as human, we need to be rewarded in order to improve ourselves, that's why we need Merit.
I must say this is not the first time I hear this argument that you just stated. Let me sum it up. By taking away what people have you are also creating a problem. Let's make an example of this. Let's say I'm a businessman and I have to pay about 60% of my income to the state so that they can financed social system programs, in the first scenario one might say this is fair because throughout that system I still have money and I contributed to someone through my taxes. But now lets see the complete scenario. If the government hadn't had taken from me the other 60% of my income, I would have invested that money let's say in a private clinic. So you and your parents could work in this same clinic and you will be provided with enough money to assist your Grandmother whenever it is necessary, and also able to finance your childdren's Education. And I wouldn't be only helping you and your family, but at least more than 500 families through this way.
We must learn to make a very rigorous analysis of things in our daily life. I hope this answer had explained to you that social assistance is not always good for the human beings, It erases the character of the struggle for that final aim. And what would be a human being without a goal? Nothing. Life would start meaning anything.