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Social security is infrastructure. What do you think infrastructure exists for? Cars and electric signals don't get to vote. And Germany still has an appalling
by hnbad 2y ago
Social security is infrastructure. What do you think infrastructure exists for? Cars and electric signals don't get to vote. And Germany still has an appalling amount of childhood poverty nevertheless.
It would indeed be trivial to "find the money" but the neo-liberal FDP is acting as an internal opposition demanding both strict adherence to the self-imposed debt brake (which was put in place to allow for investment during economic downturns by avoiding unnecessary debt when things are going well -- except everyone promptly forgot about that justification) as well as neither enacting new taxes (e.g. additional tax brackets), raising existing taxes nor resuming the very moderate wealth tax we suspended (not abolished!) years ago for no good reason.
- constantcrying 2y ago>Social security is infrastructure. No? Even on the budget they are distinct items. >And Germany still has an appalling amount of childhood poverty nevertheless. Don't forget the homelessness, which is far worse than in the US. Not only is the social security expensive, it also quite ineffective. >It would indeed be trivial to "find the money" but the neo-liberal FDP is acting as an internal opposition Exactly. Even they are refusing to cut social spending.
- hnbad 2y ago> >Social security is infrastructure. > No? Even on the budget they are distinct items. That's not a refutation, that's a technicality. What is the function of social security? What would happen without it?
- constantcrying 2y ago>What is the function of social security? To reduce social conflict by subsiding people who, for one reason or another, are unwilling or unable to successfully participate in the labor market. >What would happen without it? I don't want to speculate, but at some point we are going to find out.