Regarding the role of the family, for which I was criticized by various posters:
1. However you want to characterize the family (and I never mentioned the nuclear family), I don't see how anybody can dispute that the family, in just about every culture we know of, served or serves as the primary "social security" for its members. As a policy choice, I think that is preferable to placing the primay locus on the state. 2. I believe that governmental policies affect family formation. As I believe the family as an institution is a good thing that should be encouraged, I would oppose governmental policies that discourage family formation and assumption of responsibilities by families. 3. I concede there are benefits to the socialization of various responsibilities. Taking Iraq as an example, there is something rather dysfunctional of clan based systems. However, there is a balance that is appropriate. David Shemano
