Even though our unemployed live more comfortably than the rich did 50 years ago, I absolutely agree that its terrible that a section of our society is being locked out of the middle class lifestyle.
But that isn't the issue here. The issue here is paying for the care of the violently mentally ill. We are all, Fred included, agreed that they do need 24/7 care and that everyone in society benefits from the protection that their being incarcerated/treated provides. I think this is a valid activity for government and its ethically OK to pay for it with taxes - Fred thinks that he should not have to pay for it at all.
There are a few things Gov't has done well over the past 100 years. One of those is the improvement of long term care for the mentally ill and to a degree those with mental handicaps. I can justify spending of tax dollars for the care of those that CAN'T take care of themselves not those that WON'T. Large scale public works as we had in the WPA helped build this country and were justified at the time, such tactics now are not and would be abused by the "system", that was proven with Obama's first round of Building America spending and Solyndra.
As long as tax dollars are spent to create giant speaking point boards for Congress for no reason other than to prove to their voters they are working hard, Air Force One (747) trips of 200 miles, $15 Billion on new aircraft carriers, billions of dollars in jet fighters that sit on the ground because the air exchange system is poisoning pilots, $400 million dollar bridges to serve 50 people and so on and so on then I retain the right to complain about taxes every day.