Is your main complaint teh gummint being used for safety nets, or people relying on those safety nets? Maybe you should stop and think about why millions more are surviving with UI or SS benefits than originally intended. Those librul sssocialist programs are what's keeping our society slightly civil, during The Great Recession.
Still waiting for your suggestions of alternatives.....
Those pensions are underfunded or broke, call in PBGT to salvage the pieces? 401-Ks and private savings lost billions in the market, too bad for those retiring during the bust, apply for Medicaid? Part time work for millions means minimum wage with no benefits, apply for food stamps? Pile 2 families in one home, is it handicapped accessible, who stays home to care for granny? Will your church pay for her hip replacement costs and nursing care, how about Medicare?There used to be pensions, there are 401k, private savings, real estate assets, part time work and when times are difficult family, friends, charity and the church.
When all else fails, line up at the church pantry for some canned beans and a bag of rice, thank the gummint for subsidizing Food Banks.
You should be glad SS wasn't privatized.SS has a role, sure since everyone pays into it they should get something out of it. But to say that SS = retirement is just plain wrong.
Hate on teh gummint programs all you want, but saying family/friends/charity/church can adequately fill the gaps for MILLIONS of unemployed (or poor, ill or elderly) is delusional. Balancing our budget shouldn't mean dismantling federal safety nets, but rumor has it Texas is considering opting out of Medicaid and other federal funding. Guess that's one way to get rid of poor people, huh.