No fan of the Bush family here, but you are absolutely correct. Jeb Bush has put his finger on what ails this country: People no longer believe that hard work will be rewarded, that the days of an opportunity society have passed. And they are scared to death for their children and what the future holds for them.
Disillusioned and frightened people are naturally gong to be receptive to the idea of government playing a larger role in their lives. Why do you think the Democrats have prospered during this period of stagnation? Economic growth and upward mobility are the death knell of big government.
“We should be concerned with the economic fate of flesh-and-blood human beings, not waxing indignant over the fate of abstract statistical brackets. Unless, of course, we are hustling for an expansion of the welfare state.” Thomas Sowell
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/342221/how-measure-social-mobility-thomas-sowell