French vs. US social security difference

The French president delivered a speech a couple of days ago announcing a 1% tax on investments and real estate property for the benefit of those in need of economic help (the poor, in short). Even the French left had to acknowledge that this was good move ... as much as they hate that Sarkozy did this before they got their act together...

We won't see this type of action in the US for another generation (easily..) if ever. We'll all be dead before the US ever steps up to really helping its poor by getting to the rich (or the "haves" at large). Get cancer, a major car accident, or really destitute and you can croak in the street here (although your family, if you have one, and they are not completely retarded or broke themselves, should feel some obligation to help). We might have liberty, we aren't there yet on equality, and forget about fraternity (except of course for rich college kids, but it's .."not exactly" the same reality!!!!)

Now the French aren't perfect either, but they seem to be a little bit less imperfect than we are for things like this... There there is a safety net. Here we're on our own...