burntorange, well-said. An enlightening if somewhat boring read is a book called "The Tragedy of American Compassion" (I think that's the title). It shows how before big government, charity was the domain of churches and charities. Individuals and families were examined to determine if they were worthy of receiving charity, i.e. no deadbeats, alcoholics, etc. Nobody was "entitled" to anything like today. Government has usurped that role. And families were continually held accountable for how the charity was used. Go to church, they said. Get your act together, they said. Repeat visits by charity workers confirmed the money was not being spent on booze, etc.
That's cool that you said we are all part of the problems we face today. Blaming politicians, the rich, the Chinese, illegals, whoever, certainly makes us feel better about us. The bible says "every man is right in his own eyes".
