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We are already a two-tiered, possibly multi-tiered, overlapping-tiered socialist country whether you like it or not. Even wealthy people collect social security checks. That is socialism is it not?

Doesn't mean I want it that way. Apparently you're fine with it, and you want even more government control without understanding the consequences of what you're demanding.

You think people should go to all the trouble of starting their own businesses and end up with less of a profit "just because." You fail to understand that if there is less of a reward (profit) fewer people with take the risk. Because it is a risk. A lot of people starting out their own businesses will give themselves MUCH LESS than what you consider a "living wage" for several years before they are profitable to hire ANYONE. And that's if they succeed. At least 80% of all new businesses fail. It takes a lot of hard work to get in the business of employing people. If it becomes less profitable, fewer people will do it. And that means fewer jobs for everyone. Try to think about it from the employer for a bit. Imagine a Mom and Pop employer if you like.

Most people who start small businesses afford their employees some kind of group health insurance. In times past, they paid their male workers enough money to support their families in a lot of cases unless they were total scrooges. Today that is far more difficult, but if I owned a business and jetted off to Cancun while my employees were back home doing my slop work and never able to take a vacation eqivalent to mine, I would feel guilty. Some of these people do not have the money to go home when their aging parents are sick and dying. I would have a hard time as an employer watching that.

As to wanting it that way; i.e., socialist, liberalism, communism, fascism, I do not. I prefer not to have any government-assistance programs, inluding federal payments to schools. I told you what I wanted. Wal Marts who pay a living wage without unions and employees who get health plans and prompt compensation for non-faked injuries on the job.

As for myself, I do have mental health problems and get help paying for treatment which makes me feel shame but not crazy. I have to pay for all the medication myself except the portion my expensive medical insurance pays.

I qualify for SSI but have never taken it because I would have to spend down any assets I have first. I prefer to keep my assets as that makes me feel a little better about myself but not much. As to pulling myself up by the bootstraps, I am 63 years old, so it is a little late for that, but I'm still working on some ideas to make me feel more like a contributing member of society and not a useless eater.