More govt ... pleaseFollow

That's what they use around here and Philadelphians know Cheesesteaks.

Speaking of cream cheese, was TLW imitating Smash here? Has the hero worship extended to him abandoning the quote feature at times?

Its what they use at Pats AND Genos.

I prefer food that doesn't taste pre-digested.

I prefer food that an ant won't reject as a piece of plastic.

What is the alternative?

If someone is unsuccessful in providing for themselves, is it more productive to let then wilt away on the street or provide assistance to help them succeed?

Entitlement programs as they exist in our government, while they may be ripe for abuse, are not 'give-aways'. How much productivity are you going to get out of a kid that may survive to adulthood but has done so without proper nutrition, education or healthcare?

Im sure you'll counter the argument that entitlements have gotten this kid into this predicament to begin with, but I don't buy it.

If you want to completely eliminate gov assistance, and still ensure a fair, healthy, productive human resource pool, it can only mean severely restricting freedom of choice.

No more sex for folks unless they meet the financial criteria for raising a child and sign a contract that, in the event of conception, they agree to do so. No more risky jobs or leisure activities because you may jeopardize your ability to be productive.

If we want a society that encourages free-thinking, new ideas, and innovation - one that pushes the limits to keep expanding our choices, don't you think it prudent to have a 'safety net' for those that try and fail?

How many people are going to invest their life savings in a new business if they know that failure means moving the family into a cardboard box in the back alley and dining at the dumpster?

Again, you fail at looking away from your limited view and confining definitions of capitalism and socialism in the context of todays mega-society.

Your examples are absurd. What if your one of your two children was a bit of a risk-taker and broke his arm while doing a stunt on his bike, while the other child, a bookworm, has two good arms. It's time for their daily chore - washing the dishes. Uh oh, the broken arm kid can't get his cast wet. Oh, my what shall we do? Will you withhold his dinner, his allowance because, atm, he can't 'earn' them? Will you punish the risktaker and reward the bookworm?

EDIT for hat posterity.

My childsize face makes hats look absurd on me. But I dig headbands.

I one of each of these:













Edited, Sep 13th 2009 4:56pm by Elinda

You are already the recipient of government largesse. We all are.

This has been pointed out many, many times.

I grew up on a neighborhood where most of my neighbors were on gov't assistance. I'd say in the case of single moms specifically, I don't know how they are supposed to support themselves on some low paying job when there are child care, housing and healthcare needs. There is so little help available to the working poor. I think people forget that the propoganda about the welfare queens is really to distract people from thinking how sh*tty the wages and benefits are for people who are working full time for a little money and GOD FORBID, trying to support others. I've always seen people in Boston where I've wondered how they live. Honestly, their budget was so tight, they were @#%^ed every month.

But anyway, I'll also wonder if any of these people who ***** about welfare ever want to be part of the solution or if they think their exposure to welfare recipients is enough to absolve them forever from doing anything. I've heard different things about Geoffry Canada and how exciting his programs are and how they are doing initiatives modeled after his program. Maybe Boomsticker wants to think about doing something about it, like volunteering in one of these programs. Or maybe he'd rather just *****.




Edited, Sep 13th 2009 9:14pm by Annabella

Ooh, is it time for a fun game of econ smack down?

Well, is it not?

Looks like you can't put your angry face there.

But if you prefer, we can rage about how the household income group to rise in the past decade is those above the 99% percentile.

Edited, Sep 13th 2009 10:03pm by Timelordwho

That sounds like a name for a mobster with hypertension.