I believe Norway is one of the wealthiest countries per capita. Sweden and Germany aren't doing bad either so I question this claim that their middle class is worse off than our poor. Are you drawing this conclusion from trips you've taken there, or real numbers? Also, we are the wealthiest country in the world, we can afford for our poor to live better. You should check out this brief video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM

How has welfare, the financial lifeline to poor families, created fatherless homes?
Without welfare, I would've been homeless as a child. Instead government aid enabled me to get an education all the way through multiple college degrees and now I'm an entrepreneur (job creator). 

You are hearing anti-government propaganda and anti-[aid for the poor] propaganda that has been pushed by greedy, wealthy individuals. It is not only misleading, it is quite harmful to our society.