[skeet]

It may be possible to have a socialist democratic society but there really isn't one in the world today. There are a couple countries that are socialist but not really democratic. Democracy is different than you may think. We have a republic here It's not working the way it was envisioned. There were no provisions for the social reforms that have been enacted. The constitution did not envision social security and welfare but we have found a way to incorporate those ideas into our very governed way of life. I think there are more people on welfare than you may believe and to be very honest I know of too many people that need the welfare programs and really didn't know how to get approved for them. Many of the people that you think that don't get welfare aren't able to get past the screening process. Talk about a beaurocracy. Hate to break the news to so many people but a repulican(not repub party) government with socialism at it's core will not long endure. At least not in the manner in which this country was designed by our founders. BTW I have talked to many people from Canada and quite a few really were not happy with the health care provided. As far as countries that have flat taxes...I think Sweden comes closest to your ideals...cradle to grave care by the government and the tax rates there are horrendous 70% or so plus I think they have a VAT too