A Country Boy Can Survive...Off You & Me!

[stony ground]

We already have numerous government programs to "help the poor"...welfare, food stamps, WIC, medicaid...which begs the question: have these program reduced poverty in this country? In sheer numbers, no they have not, but I guess you could say that they have made poverty more bearable and less of an indignity. The next question is: why is it the role of government to make poor people more comfortable?

The welfare state is socialism "light", it takes money from the productive class and gives it to the non-prodcutive class...essentially buying the votes of the poor by paying them to remain non-productive. Rendering unto "caesar" (what an incredibly apt metaphor for this administration, btw) means the government collecting revenues necessary for the functions of the state. It does not mean render unto caesar so that he can hand it out to buy votes.

Government programs are not the answer to poverty in the inner city, and they will not be the answer to poverty in rural areas. The real answer to the problem is job creation, and the best thing government can do in that arena is try not to screw it up. Taxation and regulation suppress job growth, thus creating more unemployment and poverty, not less.

And btw, all of this comes from someone who grew up as one of those "rural poor", I grew up in an old single-wide mobile home out in the sticks of the rural South. I was not taught to wait for a handout, I was taught the only way to change my situation was to bust my hump and try for a better life. So I did. If I can do it...

[GISG]

Originally Posted by stony ground

We already have numerous government programs to "help the poor"...welfare, food stamps, WIC, medicaid...which begs the question: have these program reduced poverty in this country? In sheer numbers, no they have not, but I guess you could say that they have made poverty more bearable and less of an indignity. The next question is: why is it the role of government to make poor people more comfortable?

The welfare state is socialism "light", it takes money from the productive class and gives it to the non-prodcutive class...essentially buying the votes of the poor by paying them to remain non-productive. Rendering unto "caesar" (what an incredibly apt metaphor for this administration, btw) means the government collecting revenues necessary for the functions of the state. It does not mean render unto caesar so that he can hand it out to buy votes.

Government programs are not the answer to poverty in the inner city, and they will not be the answer to poverty in rural areas. The real answer to the problem is job creation, and the best thing government can do in that arena is try not to screw it up. Taxation and regulation suppress job growth, thus creating more unemployment and poverty, not less.

And btw, all of this comes from someone who grew up as one of those "rural poor", I grew up in an old single-wide mobile home out in the sticks of the rural South. I was not taught to wait for a handout, I was taught the only way to change my situation was to bust my hump and try for a better life. So I did. If I can do it...

I don't know if it's the dumbing down of the American student that is to blame, but somewhere along the line the fact that this nation was built on all men were created equal and not to create equal outcomes, has been lost.

[Dagwood]

Originally Posted by GISG

I don't know if it's the dumbing down of the American student that is to blame, but somewhere along the line the fact that this nation was built on all men were created equal and not to create equal outcomes, has been lost.

I certainly agree! So many people have taken the notion that they don't have to do much of anything because the government "promises" to take care of them.

The government's thinking is: "punish the majority to allow the minority to succeed." And that can go in any direction on just about any topic.

Yes, we are ALL created equal. But we're also given the free-will to do as we please. With regard to the rural folks, certainly no offense intended. But, try talking to many of those people. Many don't want economic growth where they are; many of them are content with what they have, regardless of how little or how much...

[GISG]

Originally Posted by Dagwood

I certainly agree! So many people have taken the notion that they don't have to do much of anything because the government "promises" to take care of them.

The government's thinking is: "punish the majority to allow the minority to succeed." And that can go in any direction on just about any topic.

Yes, we are ALL created equal. But we're also given the free-will to do as we please. With regard to the rural folks, certainly no offense intended. But, try talking to many of those people. Many don't want economic growth where they are; many of them are content with what they have, regardless of how little or how much...

It's a ploy to garner votes and to create a government that will take the place of what God intended; a dependancy on Him and good work ethics.

Paul says, you work you eat, don't work, no eating. The government says, don't worry, give us power and we'll give you food stamps. What a horrible exchange.