When did it happen?

On my way home the other day I heard a report on NPR about housekeepers is Southern California and how they have been effected by the economic downturn. Many of them are out of jobs because of the large amount of home foreclosures and people tightening their belts and starting to clean their own homes. It ended with an El Salvadorian housekeeper pleading to Mr. Obama to help her and her family. Her response bothered me, but sadly didn't surprise me. At what point in time did people start to think it was the responsibility of the government to help them?