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Some examples would be useful. Yes, many that don't pay tax benefit from the government, and yes, you can view that as a working class paying for the unemployed
by FourthProtocol 5y ago
Some examples would be useful. Yes, many that don't pay tax benefit from the government, and yes, you can view that as a working class paying for the unemployed.
Imagine, if you will, a 50-year-old woman on the dole (she's paid a monthly sum by the government). In Germany, for instance, this is only paid if she can prove that she applied, and continues to apply for work/seek employment.
It's a bit of a mad circle - she doesn't want work, because she has a comfortable, if meagre life. Of course she dutifully applies for employment every month, and occasionally lands an interview.
She's been out of work for so long though, that's she's no longer employable. She's too old for manual labour, cannot type, doesn't do Internet. And so no one will have her.
It's not ideal for someone expecting to get out what they put into the system, but it's a social safety net that's better than forcing people out onto the street. Will all the problems that brings.
And yes, the 50-year-old gets "free" healthcare. Which I contribute to, from my hard work. And I think this system among the best on the planet.
- kelnos 5y ago> And yes, the 50-year-old gets "free" healthcare. Which I contribute to, from my hard work. And I think this system among the best on the planet. I wish more people had that attitude. Instead, in the US, we have people actively making their own lives worse because they don't want to give others things they don't believe they "deserve". If taking more out of my paycheck would get all the homeless people off the streets, I would happily do that. I personally believe that everyone has a right to housing, but even if I didn't care about people, I'd be ok with it because getting homeless people off the streets makes my life better too. Ensuring that people aren't insecure about housing and food translates to lower crime rates and safer neighborhoods. It makes me genuinely angry that anti-welfare people don't get this, and actively lobby against their own interest. I'm sure there are some people who just believe that welfare programs don't work, and are against them on those grounds, but most of the rhetoric I hear seems to be around not giving people things they haven't worked for and don't deserve.
- _carbyau_ 5y agoYour last paragraph is the bit that resonates with me. Paying taxes to treat people humanely and with dignity is a good option because when people are desperate, riots and violence are not far away. And if your thoughts are to push people to that extreme so you can be violent against them, then it is you who are the lesser person.
- fnord77 5y agowe americans seem to prefer paying for bombs more than paying to have our own citizens treated decently
- IG_Semmelweiss 5y agoi think you are referring to the american government. now, we are suckers for people giving us promises that they cant seem to keep. That's a different story.