> I’m going to assume that this is a serious question and try to quickly answer it in good faith.
It is a serious question and I was hoping for something closer to the late 1700s vintage. I'm well aware there is a vast welfare system in place today.
It is a serious question and I was hoping for something closer to the late 1700s vintage. I'm well aware there is a vast welfare system in place today.
I was caught in a weak moment I guess.
“Since it’s founding the US has never been a welfare state in any sense. Change my mind!”
> If one must keep that in mind, may one ask what definition of "welfare state" has applied to the USA since its founding?
The contention was definitely whether it has been a welfare state ever since its founding. No judgement though - the English language is terribly poorly designed, so I can totally understand how you read it that way.