It seems like only yesterday (but was - in fact a years ago) when the Tea Baggers were screaming that they wanted the government to "keep your hands off my Medicare". It was such a jarring disconnect between the confused rhetoric and the reality of social safety net programs as to be comical. How could anyone not realize that Medicare is the very definition of government, and one of the single largest budgetary items we had? Where did they think the money came from for Medicare? Yes - from taxes, through the federal government, and then out to medical service providers.
The idea that nothing good comes of the federal government is a meme that feels good to the rebels, the libertarians, the nut job tea baggers, and all of the rest. Of course - they'll complain while they drive on roads, enjoy the protections of state and federal law enforcement, and - in many cases - feed their families with food stamps and welfare checks.
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