Sqrl said:
It's a little extreme to say his statement was absolute but if he intended it that way then you're right. Ulimately it's true that people who have the skills to make it can (and do) go through tough times but it's also true that these people are far from a majority of the people on welfare. If you don't think welfare can inhibit the drive to succeed in people just look at a lot of the communes that were started back in the 60's. Most of those ended in turmoil around a small group of people pulling all the weight while others lazed about the place. Any time you have a system that provides rewards for failure or lack of effort you're going to encourage people to do nothing and attract freeloaders. It's certainly fair to say that this trap doesn't catch everyone and some people do retain the drive to succeed nevertheless but it definitely has the effect he is referring to on a subset of the population. It's a subject of debate as to how many people fall into the trap but thats a whole other topic really. |
I think Sqrl and Kasz explained it well enough.
And I said it protects you from success. Saying that means you could never be successful is like saying people under police protection could never be harmed.
I mean if I am given 15K a year for doing nothing, and the only job I can get right off the bat pays me 18K a year, why would I work for 3K?
If I was forced to work, I would probably be making at least 25-30k in 10 years. If I was on welfare, I would still be making 15K.
Yea, there are people with the vision to see that working sets you up for a better future, but they are the extreme minority.
