Why is it that many americans have come to expect hand outs.?

I they can't afford it the government will tax people who can so that i can have it mentality... isn't this completely socialist. no i don't believe in a flat tax but I do believe there should be a better way to tax citizens without penalizing them for making more money. Yes we need taxes for roads and school and hospitals, but in what way is our tax code really fair right now, and is it doing anything to boost the economy... oddly enough i'm a democrat with these feelings. but i think right now both democrats and republicans have it wrong... republicans want to cut taxes while spending more in Iraq. democrats want to raise taxes on only the wealthy.. which is fair, and what do you see and being most beneficial to the deficit we face.