Do people actually understand how welfare in America works?

[richardhutnik]

Kasz216 said:

Mr Khan said:

sperrico87 said:

 

If I ever found myself unemployed, I would rather die than take a dime of government assistance.  If you've spent you entire career paying into the system, then you receive social security.  I'm not calling social security beneficiaries leeches.  I'm not sure what your angle is here, but you're either an asshole or just looking for a fight.  Or both. 

Let's try to broach this gently. Have you ever witnessed true poverty?

Shit the fact that I have is why I like the idea of a negative income tax best, replacing all forms of welfare.

All the restrictions and random bullshit they try and pull just doesn't work and it seems like all it does is make it so the people who can game the system give the benefit while regular people just end up screwed.

Seen so many people who deserve aid not get it because they go in looking for help, while other people you just wanna slap get coverage just because they're looking for some extra money for drugs or gambling or whatever.  So many people staying up for days wandering around getting kicked out of where they live because they're doing this or that.

Truth is, you can do EVERYTHING in the world and there are still some people you can't help.  Best to just go at it with a negative income tax, give everyone who makes below a certain amount some money, and then leave those who refuse to change to themselves... that and hope those that actually give a damn do suceed.

 

Cause like I said, as it is, making strict requirements usually just lead to ONLY the conmen getting this stuff.

Well, there is the Earned Income Tax Credit, which gets close to the idea of Milton Freedman.  Since people in America support people working, they don't mind something like this.  As clean and simple as the Negative Income Tax is, look at the rants that pop up against how people are irresponsible and exploit government handouts (even the guy in here who thinks I am a leech, despite the fact I am recovering from a disk being removed via surgery and can't even sit prolonged periods).  Then there is talk of booze or whatever.   Because people WANT the government to be a nanny for those on welfare, to make sure their tax dollars aren't wasted, you will never get a real negative income tax, because people feel that the poor just aren't responsible.  Thus, no negative income tax and a big nanny over everyone unless they have enough money to hire lawyers to navigate the system.