Why does the American mixed market system achieve economic success at the expense of social and moral decline?

[ricodiva]

(When I say social decline, I am refering to the lack of available social system resources) Furthermore, why does the UK's free market system achieve economic success as well as maintain high standards of social services available to EVERYONE!? Should America progress towards a total free market system or is America's social service failure and example of how free market economies don't work?
In response to the 4th answer, I can only say that the lack of data is attributed to it being 4:30 in the morning and for now we will assume this questions is hypothetical and normative based.

[Wish2Travel]

I don't support social services for everyone. Why should I bust my hump working hard my whole life so that degenerates who don't work can get free medical care and welfare and all that other crap. If you want something you should have to earn it. I'm glad I don't live in a country that gives handouts to everyone. Screw socialism.

[nosillenhoj]

We could spend a lot more on social services and infrastructure if we weren't the world's policemen. Our defense budget is over $500 billion annually.

[harijanti]

I think is TV and Media's fault...for example, what I see from TV is...some comedy...children call parents by name, not DAD or MOM!!!
Also....always have boys hang at window side act like a ROMEO... waiting for girl to jump out from their window house......
It seems that only to parties or pub, girls allow to dress sexy and trendy....how about in public? girls love dressing....but no place to go...end up to that kind of environment...so pay very high price...mind get polluted....and just like a diseases...spread everywhere......
the most funny part is...girl feel shame to let people know that they are virgin...so they try sooooooooo hard to get rid of VIRGIN!!!!
where they get this stupid idea? well, mostly from pub, parties etc....end up drugs and drinks become fashion to them.....
I think compare to Europe, the fashions allow male and female to walk on the road and everywhere...so their mind not easy get polluted like US!!! and the best is Europe's fashion indeed top of the world!!! more people wear and dress what they want to be... make designers think more and match market needs....that's how Europe products established good reputation till now!!!

[John G]

Your statement is not true, or if it IS true, includes no data to support it. Therefore, it is sort of like asking me if I have stopped beating my wife yet. Show me (show everyone) the data to support the claim, then we can get to work on trying to answer it.

From my cursory examination of the US budget, it appears to me that the investment in social welfare, public health and education has increased over the years, is the second largest item in the budget, and I have personally witnessed the prompt application of such social benefits and entitlements.

I can't prove it, but it occurs to me that a successful economy would be more able to support more social initiatives than an unsuccessful one -especially those that come from the private sector. The fact that benefits may be more widely available elsewhere doesn't speak to the quality of such benefits but in general I note that in countries that are more socialized, the tax rates are much higher than they are here, so you could ask, "Why does the universal application of social and moral support systems come at the expense of higher taxes and less individual economic freedom?"

The answer to your question and mine, with or without the supporting data, is probably that someone has to pay for it all, one way or another.

It is a shame that such a poignant question is flawed by a lack of data to support the underlying premise.

[Zak]

You have got to be kidding. There are social programs in America that go UNused every year.
Furthermore, everyone should not have access to TAXPAYER money. I notice you chose not to use the word TAXPAYER.

We don't have a free market economy.
-Monopolistic government controlled education
-120,000 pages of Medicare
-Engorged Social Security collections

You can't call free markets a failure if you don't have them.
What do Americans complain about the most - Health Care and Education.
>>>The two places where government is most involved and free markets are most restricted.

“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”
-Thomas Jefferson
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