FORT WORTH (June 10, 2012)—U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., the chief budget-writer in the U.S. House, told the Texas Republican Convention that America's safety net has become a "hammock" that breeds apathy and complacency.

The House Budget Committee chairman said Saturday in Fort Worth that President Barack Obama wants to build a government-centered society instead of one based on God and nature.

Ryan is author of a plan to gradually transform Medicare into a voucher system in which future seniors would get a fixed amount to buy medical insurance.

He told more than 6,000 cheering party delegates, "Liberty, freedom, free enterprise ... Texans, you get it."

In reference to the unsuccessful effort to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Ryan added, "Wisconsinites, last Tuesday just reaffirmed this. We do everything to get our country back."