First, give the guy a break. He is, at 22, well ahead of the masses. He is also philosophically correct.
Second, there are societal benefits to certain social safety net programs such as unemployment. The costs to society would likely be higher if certain negative externalities occured (e.g. higher crime rates).
The problem with these programs is that they become permanent for people. Under Clinton and the Republican Congress led by Gingrich, welfare reform was passed that was a step in the right direction away from permanent dependency. Obama has undone all of this in the Porking of America (aka the Stimulus) Bill.
Third, his mistake is in the application of societal safety net programs.
Any such programs should be: (i) administered at the state level without any reliance on redistribution from the federal government; (ii) temporary in nature with a clear end; and (iii) structured in a way so that the transition back to productivity is incented.
The federal government should no role in these programs. The federal government should focus on national security, the rule of law, the regulation of the states (with the context and proper balance of states rights) and the maintenance of a strong monetary system to promote growth and low inflation.
