3 ms·

>Am I the only one who hates the notion of being forced to pay for other people's bad financial decisions? You are undoubtedly not the only one who feels this

>Am I the only one who hates the notion of being forced to pay for other people's bad financial decisions? You are undoubtedly not the only one who feels this way. It's very natural. However, in the west sometimes I think we forget how lucky we are, and that the rest of the world often pays for our bad decisions and with much more than money. I would rather pay their student loans and be grateful for what I have as a white western person, which puts me on a privilege level well above a large proportion of humanity.[1] I am _not_ trying to preach, just giving you some food for thought. [1] And this is why here in Canada, I am pleased to pay for other people's healthcare too.

morgante 10y ago
> I would rather pay their student loans and be grateful for what I have as a white western person, which puts me on a privilege level well above a large proportion of humanity. I am very aware of my privilege. In fact, that's why I donate at least 10% of my income to charities operating in the developing world. That's actually part of why loan forgiveness galls me so much. It's offering a subsidy to people who are actually some of the most privileged people in the world. College-educated Americans are hardly an underprivileged group. There's also a choice aspect of this. Going into huge debt for college is a decision, as opposed to being born into an underdeveloped nation or falling victim to illness. [0]
- gerbilly 10y ago
  > There's also a choice aspect of this. Points taken above. I'll just point out that the focus on fairness is a strong human trait, and IMHO it is a trait that we over-express. Often our notion of fairness is very biased as well. We are most likely to recognize situations that are unfair against us, but easily gloss over all the unfair advantages we may have. An anecdote: One time I was complaining to my grandmother that something wasn't fair, what did I do to deserve this... etc.[1] And she said: "Don't say that. If we got just a fraction of what we had coming to us for our sins, we'd be in big trouble!" If we insist that things should be fair, let's be very careful about what we wish for. [1] She was the most upstanding, hardworking honest person I have ever met, and a whole community agrees with me. And even though her point was made from within a religious framework, I think it is very applicable. She died almost 20 years ago, and she would have been 100 years old today. She is greatly missed. I also realize it's a bit of an imposition to mention this in your thread. I just wanted to insert a reference to a remarkable individual on this anniversary. Her name is Thérèse Pilon.
  - morgante 10y ago
    I don't think your anecdote or point is very strong unless you believe in the notion of "sin." I think I've been appropriately rewarded and punished for my decisions in life.
    - gerbilly 10y ago
      I believe the portion of my good fortune I have earned to be far far inferior to the total. I'll probably never even _know_ the totality of my good fortune, like the portion of an iceberg that lies under water it's invisible to me. I'm not trying to persuade exactly... I just feel that this may be true for many of us. Anyway, thanks for listening.
refurb 10y ago
And this is why here in Canada, I am pleased to pay for other people's healthcare too. You don't think all Americans pay for everyone's healthcare?
- flukus 10y ago
  I don't think a lot of Americans realize this considering how frequently you see "why should I pay for someone else's healthcare?" trotted out.

morgante 10y ago

> I would rather pay their student loans and be grateful for what I have as a white western person, which puts me on a privilege level well above a large proportion of humanity. I am very aware of my privilege. In fact, that's why I donate at least 10% of my income to charities operating in the developing world. That's actually part of why loan forgiveness galls me so much. It's offering a subsidy to people who are actually some of the most privileged people in the world. College-educated Americans are hardly an underprivileged group. There's also a choice aspect of this. Going into huge debt for college is a decision, as opposed to being born into an underdeveloped nation or falling victim to illness. [0]

gerbilly 10y ago
> There's also a choice aspect of this. Points taken above. I'll just point out that the focus on fairness is a strong human trait, and IMHO it is a trait that we over-express. Often our notion of fairness is very biased as well. We are most likely to recognize situations that are unfair against us, but easily gloss over all the unfair advantages we may have. An anecdote: One time I was complaining to my grandmother that something wasn't fair, what did I do to deserve this... etc.[1] And she said: "Don't say that. If we got just a fraction of what we had coming to us for our sins, we'd be in big trouble!" If we insist that things should be fair, let's be very careful about what we wish for. [1] She was the most upstanding, hardworking honest person I have ever met, and a whole community agrees with me. And even though her point was made from within a religious framework, I think it is very applicable. She died almost 20 years ago, and she would have been 100 years old today. She is greatly missed. I also realize it's a bit of an imposition to mention this in your thread. I just wanted to insert a reference to a remarkable individual on this anniversary. Her name is Thérèse Pilon.
- morgante 10y ago
  I don't think your anecdote or point is very strong unless you believe in the notion of "sin." I think I've been appropriately rewarded and punished for my decisions in life.
  - gerbilly 10y ago
    I believe the portion of my good fortune I have earned to be far far inferior to the total. I'll probably never even _know_ the totality of my good fortune, like the portion of an iceberg that lies under water it's invisible to me. I'm not trying to persuade exactly... I just feel that this may be true for many of us. Anyway, thanks for listening.

refurb 10y ago

And this is why here in Canada, I am pleased to pay for other people's healthcare too. You don't think all Americans pay for everyone's healthcare?

flukus 10y ago
I don't think a lot of Americans realize this considering how frequently you see "why should I pay for someone else's healthcare?" trotted out.