@jesterville: "Pray tell, who will build roads and infrastructure?"
Private companies. Please Google "Say's Law" and "Economic Calculation in the Socialist Commonwealth." A free market is the only way to efficiently allocate resources for anything, including funds for the construction of roads and other infrastructure.
"You don't think National Security is part of the Welfare State?"
No. National security refers to the preservation of government as an institution. The welfare state refers to preservation of politicians' careers within that institution by way of buying votes with other people's money.
"Do you realise that the same 'Welfare State' that you want eliminated, is the same one that bailed out your economy?"
The welfare state didn't bail out the economy. It simply transfers money from tax contributors to tax consumers. This process doesn't increase the country's overall wealth.
"Do you believe for an instant that the private sector would have bailed anyone out?"
No. That's why it should be allowed to run its course. Inefficient businesses should be allowed to go bankrupt so their assets can be sold and put to more profitable use.
"I don't think you realize the importance of Government Intervention in the Economy."
Search for "Keynes vs Hayek" on YouTube.
"hvacstudent",
The US economy is in the toilet, and you are proposing to "eliminate the welfare state"? Prey tell, who will build roads and infrastructure?
You don't think National Security is part of the Welfare State?
Do you realise that the same "Welfare State" that you want eliminated, is the same one that bailed out your economy? Do you believe for an instant that the private sector would have bailed anyone out? Or are you saying that the right approach would have been to let the banks fall....because sir, this would have been the result without Government Intervention.
I don't think you realise the importance of Government Intervention in the Economy.