The Big #1. This country wasn't intended to be (nor should it become) the socialist welfare state that many people desire. The very nature of the origins of the U.S. is that it was a business outpost started by European entrepreneurs. The idea of overregulation and high taxation was anathema to them and is contrary to the principles which have built the U.S. into a superpower.
Capitalism flourishes where there is the least amount of government intervention.
National health care, after-school programs intended to baby sit the children of people who reproduce irresponsibly, midnight basketball, etc. etc. are simply not features of a society where people accept responsibility for their decisions and the consequences of those decisions.
People who are very quick to create expensive government programs (aside from National Defence which is specifically mentioned in the Federal Constitution) just don't understand what this country is about.
