U.S. Government shuts down.

[Archon_Wing]

Paying your taxes doesn't mean paying for your lazy no-good neighbour

See, these are the very kinds of statements that bug me (in particular referring to your neighbor as "lazy" and "no good"), and it sends all kinds of red flags (pun intended) through my head. But perhaps you meant something else contrary to how I am interpreting it (as an attack on people who are on welfare, or otherwise poor that rely on more government programs or assistance to help them). Can you elaborate please?

I don't really have a lazy, no-good neighbour.

I do! :p

But yea, I don't really get the negative connotations towards stuff that we pay for, despite those that abuse the system.

It's fair to say some irresponsible people do take advantage of the system at the expense of others. It is definitely a valid concern. But at the same time we see these pundits protect irresponsible businesses that are "too big to fail" and it sours the sincerity a bit.

Personally, I'm not too interested in chest beating over any particular brand of philosophy. It's more important for those responsible for the situation to garner results (aka get this engine running again) regardless of who's more or less wrong. It's not ideal, but rarely is anything ever.