Is it possible to have an efficient state welfare program in a large, demographically diverse country?

The minute a government determines it has the authority to take from the have's and distribute to the have not's, that government begins it's decline. At that point, those not receiving entitlements begin lobbying the government for their 'fair share' and once more than 50% of the population becomes reliant upon some form of government entitlement it is only a matter of time before the country enters into bankruptcy. The decline in the US Started with FDR in the 1930's hit he 50% mark in the 1990's and today entitlement spending (Including interest payments on the debt) accounts for more than 60% of government spending and 100% of US tax revenues. Thats right, if the US cut all non-discretionary spending 100% every tax dollar collected would go to entitlements.