Nice article Ms. Meister, but you certainly raise more questions than you answer. And I think many of your points taking a “evil liberal government taking away our responsibilities” tone is — while accurate — a bit misguided in this case.
Remember that we elect these government babysitters. Millions of Americans want this nannying, want a “government big enough to supply everything you need”. You finger the practitioners, but really need to ask why we want this, where this instinct comes from.
It’s a huge question, but I’ve gotten plenty of mileage out of digesting historical milestones like, for example, FDR’s “Economic Bill of Rights” speech from 1944, in which the esteemed president calls for the right to a job, health care, housing, protection for businessmen from “unfair” competition, farmer subsidies, the whole liberal nine yards. Remember that this was a hugely popular president giving a major speech after nearly twelve years in office (that of course included the Great Depression and WW2). And consider that millions of adoring Americans nodded and agreed with these sentiments.
The nanny state has a long, ugly history that seeps back into its early socialist roots and long predates current advocates like Mrs. Clinton. Again, thanks for showing us the weed, but next time please make reference to its very thick and deep roots. After all, we planted it.
