There are quite a few countries out there with very successful socialized medicine and education (even through secondary universities).  The half-baked way we do it creates the opposite effect of either true privatization or a socialized system.

I wouldn't consider socialized health and education "welfare". I would consider things like the Ag bill, the war on drugs, our middle east wars, and our tax system unnecessary welfare, though.

I'm thinking our focus here is all wrong.