Hmm, I think that says more about the lack of safety nets than about Americans' lack of need for safety nets.
> The number of good jobs has increased a lot in
>the past 50 years. Today, only 34% of male workers and
>10% percent of female workers are part of the
>traditional "industrial proletariat."
>
>http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2005_07/006689.php
Yep, what with the rise of the service economy, loss of job security, increased temp work, more outplacement, greater income volatility, extinction of health insurance and defined-benefit pensions plans, etc. -- workers are now in the nontraditional, post-industrial proletariat.
Carl