A branch from the ""Free" market" debate which now requires much scrolling! :)
What should a welfare system look like?
What should the role of money be in our society?
How does the Protestant Work Ethic play into our views on money and capitalism?
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6 comments:
Reward good, punish evil...
I think that a good welfare system would not reward or encourage laziness or over-dependency, but would promote people (like agencies and/or missions run by churches) taking care of the basic needs (food and shelter) of those who are truly needy (unable to work and unsupported by family).
And it would also reward people (like agencies/church missions) for providing free or affordable teaching and training for work-skills and money management for those who are born in poverty but able to work.
I agree with everything that Chris said.
I would add that I would like to see some form of accountability on behalf of those receiving the assistance. I would like to have audits periodically to show that the money they were given was being used appropriately (i.e. not for alcohol, gambling, etc.), and I would like some sort of timeline to ween them off of assistance. It should be help to get them back on their feet, not sustain them long term. Obviously the timeline would need to be set on an individual basis and be flexible if issues arose, but again, keep them accountable and make sure the money is being spent wisely.
And I think there should be some sort of requirement to take a class on budgeting/economics with an option of taking home books and returning to take a test or something like that if they can't attend classes. There should also be counselors available to help them create and learn to stick with their own personal budget.
Basically I think they should be taught NOT to use the system :-D.
I think I agree with both of you! This has been on my mind a lot lately as the start of school creeps closer for our kids and I start to think of what happens then. Right now there would be no way I could work so do I apply for diability? Big question. Big horrible thing to ponder. Where does pride come in? Where does pride met practicality and fairness? What would I advise someone else in the same situation?
Not that you need to answer these questions (although feel free if you like) but just to put in the human element into this discussion and let you guys know where we are at.
kimberly! Glad to see you feel good enough to comment! I was worried about you! (!!!! :-D)
working on it! Actually right now I'm up but don't feel good enough to shower or clean up, but yet well enough to comment so it's the perfect health situation to get some stuff done. That and I'm procrastinating preparing for my next doctor's appointment on Friday! :)
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