Oddly enough, we do see more and more of that happening. More people are now on food stamps, than ever before. We've gone from 26-weeks of unemployment benefits to 2 years, and no end in sight to that. Across America, you are seeing small businesses fold up shop everyday, because they simply can't afford to lose money any longer. People like myself, who are in their 50s, are choosing to retire early and live on what pensions they have left, and whatever income they can make on the side. I've got enough money I don't have to work another day, but I enjoy having stuff to do. As a matter of fact, I have enough extra money, I could choose to invest some of it in a small business, but I ain't about to do that in the current economy.
The Dude (05-07-2012)
People are not quitting their job. They're getting laid off. UI pays around 50%?? Do you think people are quitting their job to collect 50%?
Sorry, when it comes to small businesses I don't have much sympathy. Why does the mechanic and the plumber and the architect and the hairdresser and the doctor and the lawyer and the.........open their own business? Well, I'll tell you why. They want to make more money than they would working for someone else. The problem is they quickly find out they're not as good as they thought they were.
As for retiring early, why not? You'll make an opening for someone else. If you have sufficient funds to live on, great! If you like to keep busy I suggest classic cars and gardening. I just changed the plugs in the old '54 and ordered a new liner for the fish pond.
And most important you can take an afternoon nap! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....see you a bit later.
"May your reality be as pleasant as mine."
SEDITION: incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority.
Hold on a sec... point of giving them more? When the Feds raise my taxes, my boss doesn't pay me more. Why would we have to send them more? If a person earns $20k, he should be taxed the same as everyone else, you said so yourself. "All income should be taxed the same." ~Apple
Again... THE POINT.... that thing you continue to ask me for, and I continue to explain, hoping it might eventually penetrate your granite-like cranium, is so that those people who are benefiting the most from the system, are contributing something into the system. Now, if your argument is, they can't really afford to pay out money in taxes like the rest of us, perhaps the answer is to let them do some volunteer work, to earn their keep and have 'skin in the game'? (Biden's words) I would be willing to settle for that in lieu of taxation, if it makes you feel better. The thing I am currently opposed to, is a system where 48% pay no tax, and half of them are getting most of the benefits, while the rest of us are paying the tab. We can't continue to do this, we don't have enough income earners to support the welfare class.
I have always had this idea rolling around in my conservative head, that we could reform welfare, so that people who are getting gov't assistance, whether it's ADFC , WIC, SNAP, or housing, they would be required to give 40 hrs. of community service per month. That's less than two hours a day, so it wouldn't interfere with them finding work, going to school, or spending time with family, there would still be plenty of hours for all that. These volunteers could work in a variety of capacities, we could provide temporary day care for poor moms, or distribute meals to the elderly. Perhaps hospitals could get a few volunteers to offset the indigent care costs they are swallowing? All kinds of after school programs could be done, we have all kinds of facilities not being used.
Here is what such an idea would do... Three things... 1) It would virtually eliminate fraud, as there would be no motivation to steal benefits, because now "benefits" equal work. 2) It would weed out all but the truly needy, because most people aren't going to want to do the work for the benefits.... people will take ANYTHING that is FREE for the taking.... ALWAYS. 3) Those who ARE needy, and DO really need the help bad enough they are willing to do the community service, will have a sense of fulfillment, and pride, as they have now done their share and truly earned their benefits. Win-Win-Win!
The Dude (05-07-2012)
There are more people now on disability and food stamps, than ever in our history. A LOT of people, are not able to find a job because there are none... faced with this, they are applying for disability, food stamps, and any kind of government assistance available. Unemployment has now been extended to up to three years and counting, no one in Congress ever seems to want to vote against extending benefits anymore, including Republicans.
Retiring early is GREAT! Being responsible for your own retirement, and planning for it years in advance, are what most Americans did until Social Security was invented. But that is the Capitalist system you want to destroy, so that every pot has a chicken, and life is fair for everyone, and we all have the same amount of everything, and no poor or old people ever die, remember?
In your Utopian Socialist system, you wanna know what happens to rich old farts like you, Apple? The transitioning Communists will argue that your wealth is needed to distribute among the masses, but the only real way to separate you from your wealth, is for you to go bye-bye, and one day... that's what happens... *poof* gone, like that... without a trace. Your family too, and everyone who could possibly lay claim to your wealth, and oh, ...looky here... unclaimed wealth now belongs to The State! As I said, eventually, all the power and money is controlled by the Ruling Class. That ain't gonna be you, Apple.
The Dude (05-07-2012)
Here’s a chronology of the posts.
Freedom: Msg #264: Apple keeps referring to countries that have Government Health Care and how great they are; but never seems to address the FACT that some of those same countries are having to cut back and the populace is rioting, because of the cut backs. It appears that he believes1+1=1, with 1 being a constant and unchanging.
Apple: Msg #270: That doesn't change the FACT medical care is 1/3 to 1/2 less expensive. Furthermore, the rioting isn't over medical care.
Freedom: Msg #272: So you're saying that the moneys they are spending on Health Care, have nothing to do with the deficits that those countries are experiencing?
Apple: Msg #274: Everything has an impact. Health care is a vital program. There are other places to cut.
Freedom: Msg #276: That wasn't what I asked you; but it is exactly the kind of answer that a hack like you would respond with.
Apple: Msg #277: It's unfortunate you are unable to understand my reply. Perhaps re-reading may help.
Take note of msg #274. “Everything has an impact.”That means every government service contributes to a deficit which I would think is obvious. The same way buying groceries and paying for school supplies for one’s children contribute to a household deficit. However, that does not mean those things should not be obtained.
It’s unfortunate you were unable to understand my comments but it does explain your general inability to grasp the big picture regarding deficits. As the old saying goes the first step in addressing a problem is recognizing there is a problem so, all in all, we’re on the right track.
"May your reality be as pleasant as mine."
No, your boss doesn't pay you more because you are not giving any money back to your boss. Think of it as the taxes are already deducted from welfare before the government sends the remainder.
That sounds great in theory, however, there are a couple of problems. First, it is ripe for abuse by the government getting little more than slave labor. The second problem is, as you explained, for some they "will have a sense of fulfillment, and pride, as they have now done their share and truly earned their benefits." The unmotivated will be content and consider it a permanent arrangement.Again... THE POINT.... that thing you continue to ask me for, and I continue to explain, hoping it might eventually penetrate your granite-like cranium, is so that those people who are benefiting the most from the system, are contributing something into the system. Now, if your argument is, they can't really afford to pay out money in taxes like the rest of us, perhaps the answer is to let them do some volunteer work, to earn their keep and have 'skin in the game'? (Biden's words) I would be willing to settle for that in lieu of taxation, if it makes you feel better. The thing I am currently opposed to, is a system where 48% pay no tax, and half of them are getting most of the benefits, while the rest of us are paying the tab. We can't continue to do this, we don't have enough income earners to support the welfare class.
I have always had this idea rolling around in my conservative head, that we could reform welfare, so that people who are getting gov't assistance, whether it's ADFC , WIC, SNAP, or housing, they would be required to give 40 hrs. of community service per month. That's less than two hours a day, so it wouldn't interfere with them finding work, going to school, or spending time with family, there would still be plenty of hours for all that. These volunteers could work in a variety of capacities, we could provide temporary day care for poor moms, or distribute meals to the elderly. Perhaps hospitals could get a few volunteers to offset the indigent care costs they are swallowing? All kinds of after school programs could be done, we have all kinds of facilities not being used.
Here is what such an idea would do... Three things... 1) It would virtually eliminate fraud, as there would be no motivation to steal benefits, because now "benefits" equal work. 2) It would weed out all but the truly needy, because most people aren't going to want to do the work for the benefits.... people will take ANYTHING that is FREE for the taking.... ALWAYS. 3) Those who ARE needy, and DO really need the help bad enough they are willing to do the community service, will have a sense of fulfillment, and pride, as they have now done their share and truly earned their benefits. Win-Win-Win!
A more equitable arrangement would be for the government to offer training. The whole idea is we don't want the people to feel fulfilled on welfare. We want to motivate them and assist them in acquiring something better and that's accomplished through training.
"May your reality be as pleasant as mine."
I can assure you the government wouldn't see much benefit from my demise, financially speaking. I am far from rich.
It appears you have a distorted view of my beliefs. I am not a Socialist supporter. I do not like big government. The only thing I advocate is helping those in need. If a person has six homes and another individual is on the street they require a place a live. I do not advocate each one should have three homes. I do not advocate the wealthy person shold give a home to the street person either. I do advocate the street person requires a place to stay. Either the wealthy person can offer a room or pay taxes towards the street person renting a place.
Do you notice more and more gated communities springing up? That's what happens when there is a large discrepancy between individual wealth. That is why when tourists visit certain countries they're advised to stay near the resort. Do you want America to become like that?
"May your reality be as pleasant as mine."
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