Quote:
Originally Posted by gimpy117
yes, poverty is a problem...but when we try to enact social programs to help these people, they're labeled as "handouts" or "socialism" or "wealth redistribution"
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Well that's what they are, not to say that's a bad thing, but you're missing the bigger picture. Most initiatives aimed at helping poverty have the exact opposite effect, as they create dependence upon the state.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for helping people who are poor or disadvantaged or have experienced unfortunate circumstances or whatever. I regularly donate my time and money to Habitat for Humanity, and I've been on, like, forty charity run/walks, much to the chagrin of my lazy calves and shins. I do those things because I feel a sense of social responsibility. Nobody legislated it. I'm just another guy who has some sympathy for those less fortunate than myself. Charity empires are built on that same sentiment.
Where you and I would likely differ in opinion is where the state comes in. I'm sure we'd both agre that the truly disadvantaged and those who have suffered from a severe economic setback need help. I don't entirely disagree with unemployment benefits, either. We're a wealthy nation, and I see no reason why we should not provide them. What I'm worried about is the abuse of such a system, and I think we can both agree that state welfare is prone to abuse. Even most proponents agree that further reform is needed. Personally, I think that if one is on welfare, they should be as accountable as holders of private debt. That policy seems to work well for private industry, so I see no reason why public compensation should be any different. Mind you, I'm not saying they should have to pay it all back, just that they should be accountable for what is spent.
Sadly, that isn't the case. Relief for the poor is exactly what it was designed to be, which is to say that it is not relief for the poor, but rather a mechanism for gathering votes. You may believe that, or you may not, but it is difficult to come to any other conclusion when one looks at the results of state aid towards the disadvantaged. If nothing else, we can all agree that not enough has been done. The question is whether we are willing to buy that rhetoric again or actually do something about it for once. We should have learnerd by now that more funding does not necessarily equal more productivity.