It was bound to happen. When the government began creating a welfare state, it was inevitable that that mentality would be extended to insist on a middle class standard of living as a "right" that the government was obligated to provide to the poorest of the poor, at the expense of those who make more money. Not only is there no such right, such right was never intended by the founding fathers, and, in fact, has no place in a free society. Here are a list of some of the "rights" we DON'T have as citizens (NOTE: these are all written assuming that the government has some responsibility to provide for the poorest of the poor, an idea I don't personally subscribe to):

1. You don't have a right to shelter above the barest existence. Low income housing projects are fine examples of government pork, offering better quelity housing for free to welfare recipients than low income wage earners are able to afford on their own in the private sector. If we are to insist the government provide housing, then it needs to be the most cost efficient housing they can provide supplied with the barest necessities. I'm thinking a modified dormitory style of living, at the cheapest price we can build them to reasonable health and safety standards.

2. You don't have a right to cable, or for that matter, ANY TV. You need access to news and entertainment? We'd be happy to provide you with a $10 clock radio...ONE TIME!

3. You don't have a right to variety in your menu. If Joe wage earner has to live on beans and rice, why do you get steak and lobster? You will eat the food you're given, and you will learn to cook instead of buying processed foods at the grocery store. Variety in one's diet is a privilege for those who earn their way in society.

4. You don't have the right to government subsidized public transportation. We'll help you find a bike so that you can peddle your ass to the grocery store. Otherwise, get a ride from someone in church or one of your social groups.

5. You don't have the right to live off the fruit of others' labor. If you make your living off of the government, you need to somehow return something to repay what you have used from the government. Granted, not everyone can work a 9 to 5 job, but I'm willing to bet that, with VERY few exceptions, virtually everyone can be given some kind of job that fits their abilities, if we're creative enough.

6. You don't have a right to a retirement. Now, those who have paid into Social Security their entire lives paid in on the promise of a return. I see no problem with continuing to pay their retirement. But we must wean ourselves from this horrendous scam so that those of us in the workforce and future generations are not dependent on our "big brother" government to provide us with a living.

7. You don't have the right to federal funding for your pet project. Want stem cell research? Sell snickers bars, for crying out loud. But don't come to me to pony up the dough!

8. You don't have the right to raise unlimited children in the government dime. If you are paying to raise your children yourself, or otherwise without governmental assistance, the government should have almost no say in how you raise your family. But if you insist that the government raise your children, then YOU should likewise have almost no say. Simple rule: if you want children, be prepared to pay for them.

9. You don't have the right to live in a nice neighborhood. People who work hard should not have to live next to the criminal elements that are so pervasive in poverty filled communities. Housing projects should be built in areas where they don't affect the property values of tax paying citizens.

These facts may be harsh, but they are no less facts. With government spending spiraling out of control (one thing most liberals and conservatives can actually agree on), we need to radically rethink our concept of government. And there are certainly a few (VERY FEW) members of our society who truly are incapable of supporting themselves, and we should do what we can to treat them with compassion. But we should depend largely on the private sector, NOT the federal government, to provide these things. And obviously people will fall on hard times. This message is not for them. But it is for the segment of our society that has become wholly dependent on the government; if we reduce their standard of living (while not compromising their health and safety), I firmly believe their own greed will be a powerful motivator for them to move out of their dependent lifestyle to a life of independence.