There have been a lot of good points made - particularly thinking here of Andy Collins and Mycoman. On a philosophical or moral level nobody could really argue against them.
However, humans being humans, things have gone too far and a lot of people are taking the urine. Andy's case is what the welfare state is for in my view - somebody falls through the cracks due to circumstances and needs a hand, but then wants to take control back and fend for himself. It was not created to generate a dependant society - whether due to greedy oinks or well meaning but naive social workers.
However, again, the problem is beyond philosophy and morals or even choices because it is a question of finances now - the cupboard is bare, everything is being paid for on credit, there is no choice, unless everybody is willing to add another 5 or 10% on to their tax bill.
The whole system is unsustainable in its current form.
As stated elsewhere - the more you artificially control things the bigger the swing when something snaps.
I also think that there have been a few generations - mainly in Europe who have lived in this amazing, protective bubble of the welfare state while the rest of the world has just had to get on with self preservation and consequently European views are a bit rose tinted and naive.
The biggest problem is of course that everything is based on the modern world economic model which is based on perpetual growth and seems to ignore that we live in a finite world. It worked while relatively few supped from the fountain, but now that more and more are claiming their share, the cracks are well and truly exposed.
The welfare state experiment is sadly coming to an end me thinks due to internal excesses as well as the much bigger financial problems.
hey ho, anybody got a spare bunker - preferably with a nice big picture window - it going to be an interesting show - for the rest of my days anyway.