Social Safety Nets: How Safe?

How have United States Americans lost sight of their responsibility to prepare for their future? Who taught them that their government was the all powerful, ever-present godfather of us all who would forever look after the children in its care? Did we really vote into office people who were so delusional as to believe they were working for the people in a process that could possibly serve every health and life need? Were we that delusional in the first place? Who blinded us? And, why?

I just read an article by Phillip Greenspun on BusinessInsider.com called “Why Social Safety Nets are Harmful to Economic Growth” which was very thought provoking. I hope you will read it, as well (see link below).

Not only is it one more wise word about how Americans have put too much faith in their government, it is also an eye opener to the wisdom of people in other countries who do not believe the same of their government. They understand who is responsible for their future and they do something about it. The evidence is that higher domestic savings lead to a stronger economy.

You’re right, Mr. Greenspun, “it wasn’t such a good idea to tell Americans the government would take care of them.”

My question is, how do we change the tide? What will inspire Americans to stand up and take care of themselves, which will be one more action to add economic stability to the entire nation.  Obviously, after all this time, it will take much creative imagination to educate people to save and prepare in a brand new way. (Brand new to them, not their ancestors, I might add.)

Do our readers have any ideas? Or are we all stumped to the point of allowing the status quo to over ride our creativity?

Read the article referenced above, here: http://www.businessinsider.com/is-a-strong-social-safety-net-harmful-to-economic-growth-2011-7


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