Steve... that is probably because the bottom 50% of tax payers are already at or below the poverty line. Since you are a fan of random stats though... the wealthiest 10% of Americans own 80% of the assets. I know that probably sounds fair and reasonable to you, but not to me.
As far as paying for someone else going to the doctor, I absolutely think you shouldn't have to. Just remember you'll have to pay to import new Mexicans to work at the Walmart and other corporate plantations you shop at, because the plantation owners sure as hell aren't.
Neubob... your "able-bodied degenerates" are a class that doesn't exist. In the cities, people without health care are either working poor (who's bosses aren't even willing to pay them enough money to live, much less waste a cent on taking care of them), or criminals.. who already make enough money that they don't need your "handouts". In Baltimore, 60% of the homeowners spend more than 50% of their income on their house.. does it sound like they've got lots of discretionary money to use? You think if they get sick they can just call in for a week while they go to the doctor? No, they get fired, then they get kicked out, then you've got more "able-bodied degenerates".
Neu... I guess what I'm trying to say is there isn't a perpetual "loafer class". In America, where you end up is primarily determined by where you start out, so people who are born poor already have two strikes against them. Practically nobody is willing to pay to educate poor children, or ensure employers have to pay a living wage (it would slow the economy!.. yea.. it is in such superb shape already).
You want to end welfare? Take a big chunk out of corporate welfare, i.e. giving corporations massive tax breaks, free land, hell even cash outright while making no provisions for ensuring any of this charity goes to the workers, who still slave away for minimum wage because actually recieving a living wage and healthcare would be bad on the owner's wallet.
Don't take away the services that these people (hell, serfs, wage-slaves, pick your inflammatory term) need to stay alive because their boss (owner, master... etc) isn't willing to cut into his profit margin.
