Can we survive without welfare?

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Afanasi

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A lot of liberals and welfare supporters will say that we would revert to more primitive times where lives were cheaper if we cut off the welfare teat to those who "need" it.

In my personal opinion, it's time we weened people off government dependence. It is akin to being reliant on one's parents for financial support.

The fear is that we'd see the separation of classes akin to the great depression or perhaps even feudalism with lords and serfs.

Let's consider a few things:

-Technology and information is, at this moment, cheaper and more available to the public than ever before. A book won't cost us a month's wages, although a portable internet device might. Yet, in countries such as the philippines or india there are millions with access to computers.

Why is this important? Knowledge is empowering. It is possible to learn skills using free internet sources that would land you a job -- whether it's programming, design, or selling handmade goods -- the resources are there to enable any individual to be a capitalist.

-The standard of living is higher than it has ever been. We enjoy more luxuries than practically any other nation in the world. Even our poorest enjoy luxuries that people in Africa or certain other places might not be able to attain.

-Welfare and social programs redistribute wealth forcibly. Without a national poll on the issue of welfare, it's unclear as to how many support and how many do not support their tax money going towards supporting the unemployed or the unable to work.

-Our work ethic is seemingly getting worse. If you compare the typical american family to the typical chinese family, there will be a massive behavioral difference when it comes to earning a living. The chinese family takes care of the family members, and everyone works hard. Immigrants especially, live with the bare necessities to maximize savings and start businesses, using their skills to provide services. The american family tends to be more relaxed, and lack the zeal for work or success in school.


So the question is, can we do without the government sponsored safety net? Would the lazy americans starve to death where they sit, or would they find the means to survive? Would the american families come closer together to support one another?
 
My thoughts on welfare is that it is necessary for those who cannot work. If you can work, and have fallen on tough times, and apply for welfare, then it should be a short and strict period of time. That time would include using the money for only essentials and finding a job, or reeducating yourself.

There is a lady running for governor in California who wants to set up this very system (I cannot recall her name). She recognizes that CA is a welfare state and wants to cut the length of the program, and monitor those that are on it to make sure they are actively pursuing a job or education.
 
The only social program that I can see that is needed is unemployment...everything else, not so much

The soup kitchens of the Great Depression would be great to go back too wouldn't it
 
What about the soup kitchens of today?

Also, the question is -- WOULD we revert back to poorer times? Or would we adapt and feel motivated to try and work harder?
 
That would be a start.

But the issue is this: will the individual become a liability to the system, or an asset? As of now, the money going out of the government is a lot more than the money going into the government.

You need to ensure that the recipients of welfare are going to be able to manage to pay back their loans with interest, and to become productive members of society.
 
There are fewer soup kitchens today than back then...and most of the people that go too them really dont give a fuck about their future IMO

If we reverted back too the poorer days of the Great Depression we would enter into serious civil unrest IMO...Because The generation today has no fucking clue on how to work harder.....just give it to me already....
 
Historically, welfare has created poor incentives for recipients to work at all (negative income tax and the like). More recent programs like the EITC do create solid incentives for working, while still offering aid to the poor. Unfortunately, programs of the former type are easier sells for politicians and we probably see too many of them, which, ultimately, do more to harm the poor rather than help.

Hopefully as time goes on and we learn which programs work and which don't we can fine tune things.

Or just say fuck those diggers and cut taxes to 0%, because we know conservatives donate more to charity and charity will fix these problems more efficiently and less tax = more charity.
 
If they don't care about their future then why should those who are being financially penalized in order to provide for them? "Back in the old days" only the mentally unstable were in that spot and they were eventually shipped to a hospitalization system which no longer exists.
 
Yes.

Believe it or not, there are millions of people that willfully give financial and physical help for the needy.
 
Philosophically, the idea of doing away with welfare is great.

Realistically, as someone who walks around welfare recipients on my way to work every day, I'd prefer to keep the motivation to rob my coworkers and me as low as possible.
 
On my planet? People are responsible for themselves. That have discipline, responsibility, and respect. They make choices, and there are two answers, the right thing or the wrong thing, and if they make the wrong choice, they suffer the consequences.
 
Unemployment is one program that needs a complete overhaul. If you can't live 3 months w/out a job, then you are living way beyond your means. If you can afford a new house and 2 new cars at 25, then more power to you. If you can't, then go find yourself a doublewide and a pinto.

If you want to collect unemployment, then you should earn it. For starters, you could go pick up trash along the highway. There are many ways we can put the unemployed people to work.

In America, you have the freedom to PURSUE the American dream. You are not GUARANTEED the American dream. If you choose to work your ass off, then you are entitled to all of your hard labor. If you choose to limit yourself to a low end job, live in a trailer and be a drunk, then its your own demise. We need to quit pretending that is a crime against humanity to have a lower class. In America, at least you can rise out of that class.
 
should only be systems to protect workers that lose their jobs. that system should last only 3-6mos.

fuck handouts for people that never worked and never plan on working
 
i personally wish we had a cut throat system in this country that severely punished worthless people that had kids. you don't have a job and you had your 2nd kid? sorry you lose that kid and each additional kid until you get aj ob.
 
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