Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSquealer
I think there is a vast difference in viewpoints which first stems from the problem of defining "help". Are you "helping" a heroin addict who's suffering from brutal withdrawal symptoms by offering him more heroin? Of course some would agree you are helping, others would say you are hurting. Empathy vs Reason.
In evolutionary biology, every species has to solve whats known as the "Free Rider Problem". When one takes and contributes little or nothing back, this places the entire group at risk. Once it begins, the others slow down and start thinking "I should take too" and "why should i work so hard when they're taking".
All living organisms have mechanisms in place to limit, discourage or eliminate this problem. In most cases in the animal kingdom, they are unceremoniously killed by the group.
As humans, our first biggest problem is that we've went the opposite way. We saw the problem and then did everything possible to encourage it by addressing the symptoms and not the disease.
We've started the PC thing of letting people know "there's not shame in being a Free Rider"
We've began to shame those who point out Free Riders.
We've made it a bad thing to point out Free Riders.
We're being told that if you don't give handouts to Free Riders, you're a heartless, greedy asshole who just doesn't care (i.e. how a Liberal characterizes a Conservative)
Free Riders are a larger and larger voter base for Democrats. Of course that's part of the reason more "programs" exist.
I strongly disagree with you about people caring.
I think EVERYONE cares about this problem.
I think most have no idea how to fix it because most won't be honest about what the real problem is and instead focus on painless and politically popular act of treating the symptoms of the problem.
One side is driven to give handouts. The other is ALSO calculating the cost to all WHO PAY FOR THOSE HANDOUTS - and asking if its helping or hurting. But NO ONE wants this problem.
At the end of it all, the fundamental problem of the Free Rider has to be reconciled or the entire system is at risk. Where you say "help", I say "enable". Where you say "assist", i say "discourages hard work and self reliance". It's not that you or I don't care or one cares more than the other, its that we both see a different problem each of which requires a different solution.
When i get into a financial bind, i don't go looking for handouts, i start working 20 hr days and sleeping at my desk. Of course i wouldn't be doing that if someone was standing right there to put money into my hand or saying "hey, let me make things easier on you". That's not where personal growth and self reliance comes from.... and of course a view of "it's not your fault" (ho matter the extent to which it obviously is) is far more appealing.
|
This is a smart, well-reasoned argument and I agree with most of what you are saying here. It is a complex problem and as I have said earlier in the thread, I don't think either party really has any actual interest in solving it. And, as you said, solving it, in general, is a very difficult thing to do.
I think we are getting off my original point though. All I was trying to say is that if you are going to be a "free rider" and you have no intention of trying to work your way out of that, you are a fool if you vote Republican because the Democrats will give you more stuff. That's it. That is all I am saying. Somehow, Republicans have managed to use other issues and positions on issues to convince a lot of poor people who are doing nothing to be less poor to vote for them even when that will likely take money out of their pockets. I'm not mad at the Republicans for this. Hell, I almost admire it.