What they did in Hungary when transitioning from communism was almost everyone seemed to have a state job that gave them health benefits, maybe housing, although they were buying their apartments etc...then they all hustled and bustled and had private things as well. That might be a sort of solution for people needing state benefits..get a really low salary, like minimum wage, but the good state benefits. I would not trade the highest salary in the world right now for my state benefits and I do have to have a private job as well...I am living the Irish-American dream..a job with State Benefits...I think I somehow missed the career woman gene but was left with the other ones from way back. Anyway, I hope we can figure something out..we need state employees, we need good benefits for everyone...we need many people working in day cares, nursing homes, maintenance on public buildings etc....pay the expensive benefits, get people somewhat secure, with less than full t ime work and let the more ambitious get some of their money on the private sector. The answer to most economic woes is not going to be total socialism or total unchecked capitalism but an intelligent approach that incorporates both and has room for the ambitious and security nets for others, but enough incentives so people don't get .....like whatever I am..post burnout maybe. mg