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Ah yes, a common refrain these days! It feels nice, but as I think carefully about it there are problems. The biggest one is: what's "enough to live"? Enough so

Ah yes, a common refrain these days! It feels nice, but as I think carefully about it there are problems. The biggest one is: what's "enough to live"? Enough so you don't die of deprivation of something? That's not enough. But people in America would claim that millions and millions of Americans don't have "enough to live". And yet, I promise you they do. Our poor are fat. I think the basic issue is: people will disagree vehemently about what "enough to live is", and so your sentiment, while well-meaning, becomes an empty platitude in public discourse.

rrrrrrrrrrrryan 6y ago
> What's "enough to live"? Enough so you don't die of deprivation of something? That's not enough. It'd be a decent start. Yes, America's destitute have enough food, and yes, the "enough-to live" line is arbitrary: if you're poor in France, the government will provide you with a computer and an internet connection. I'd be happy to have a debate about whether we as a society want to pay for something like that. But providing all citizens with basic shelter and healthcare should be non-negotiable in the richest nation on earth.