Personally, I think we're living in a very cruel time in American history. Not only are people pretty much on their own here in the economy and as we become isolated as individuals, we have a population that's been conditioned to believe that expecting that a government invest in its citizenry, keep its thumb on corporate excess, and provide meaningful safety nets is b-a-a-a-d. This is so wrong, and yet so many people chug down this particular flavor of Kool-Aid without really considering the damage it does.
I think the safety net is too big, not too small. Casey Mulligan, an economics professor and columnist for the New York Times, has written a book "The Redistribution Recession" asserting that incentives not to work from expanded means-tested programs such as unemployment benefits and food stamps have hampered the recovery. His book is discussed at
http://www.professorbainbridge.com/professorbainbridgecom/2012/11/the-redistribution-recession.html .
Discussing the proper role of government in areas other than education is not on-topic for this forum. Your view that people who disagree with you and do not favor a larger, more activist government are thoughtless (they "chug down this particular flavor of Kool-Aid without really considering the damage it does") is disrespectful of people who disagree with you.
