Quote:
Originally Posted by Barefootsies
Oh I see. So where does 12clicks sign up to sit on his ass at a beach somewhere while you slave away and support him?  |
Sitting at the beach for free is very easy to do. We have public parks and public beaches for exactly that reason. Getting *basic* public housing, nutritious food, preventative healthcare, security and distractions is also already possible. We provide food, housing, healthcare, security and some distractions for more than 6 million Americans right now.... every single one of them are in prison. That's 760 out of every 100,000 citizens in our country. What if we provided slightly better conditions for people who don't commit crimes instead? It doesn't cost a whole lot to put people in a safe, clean apartment building with a nutritious food pantry and an NFL game on television. In fact it would cost a tremendous amount LESS than it costs to put those same people in prison.
We are too caught up in who earned their keep, and should instead be trying to maximize efficiency as we provide basic subsistence living for all citizens regardless of their contributions to society (as long as they aren't causing problems for others). Being poor doesn't need to be punitive anymore, and being wealthy wouldn't be hampered nearly as much by the poor if society took a paternal view of people who are less fortunate and made caring for them cheaper rather harsher.