" But there are many government programs for things that individuals can and should do for themselves. For example, Social Security (saving for retirement), Medicare, food stamps, farm subsidies and unemployment compensation."
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This very well may true - however, what would you suggest happen to those who did not save enough on their own for retirement, health care, did not have enough money for food, or when laid off for a long period of time from work?

Do you personally believe those people and their families should be forced to live under a bridge in a refrigerator box, starve, and die? Or what would be your personal solution?