I think you and my friend are exceptions in that regard. I lived in a socialist European country for several years. I met so many glassy-eyed American tourists who talked like Europe was some sort of pseudo heaven on earth. Total birdbrains who even turned off the locals with their arrogant idealist Europe worship.
At the time I was a leftist myself, but I was fully aware of the imperfections of European style socialism. I just thought they were a worthwhile trade-off for a comprehensive social safety net.
This was 20 years ago. Since then I've realized that:
European style socialism only works in homogeneous countries where everyone buys into the social contract. In other words, it's not the system that works so well, it's the people who created and participate in it. It would never work in the US, and its failing quickly in Europe in countries where they are inviting in people who don't buy into the social contract.
The safety net isn't that great, isn't that safe, and promotes dependency and fear of risk in the minds of the people. That mindset leads to a weak culture with a higher likelihood of failure. The short-term gains, if you can call them that, of a social safety net, aren't worth the long-term risk of cultural decline. I prefer a future of stability and opportunity for my kids and future grandkids. The strongest prospects for that is in a culture of personal responsibility and self-reliance.
Social safety nets should only be available to those who physically cannot care for themselves.
End of speech!!!