There's nothing you say that I don't fundamentally agree with. The problem is defining where those lines are I too, agree the government can't do everything for us, and that in some cases it already does too much. But I also think there are some things it must do.

Personally, I believe there is too much government cash giveway myself, although I tend to be most upset by subsidies to business, insurance plans for industries, tax cuts, bail-outs for banks and propertied interests, or guaranteed markets and profits and price supports. Pork barrel and corporate welfare. But I draw the line at medical, educational and retirement benefits. These are national expenses with national benefits, there should be national responsibilities. Who get's what and how much is negotiable, but it should not all be written off a priori.

Personally, I work hard, stay out of trouble, pay my bills and save my money. I have contributed to this country's economic prosperity, served in it's military, and followed it's laws. My college education, which was financed by taxpayer dollars and which has more than payed for itself by the increased taxes my higher paychecks returned to the budget, is the only entitlement I have ever gotten. I've never been on welfare, I don't owe anyone a penny and my house will be paid off in two years. I don't think I'm putting a gun to anyone's head and demanding their stuff.