Certainly in the last few days we've heard a lot about this. But what really is our current welfare state? How does it compare to our country's history? How does it compare to other countries?
I think it's important in the American context to be specific on what we even mean my "welfare"...surely a person who takes advantage of deductions in the tax code to reduce their income tax responsibility is not on welfare - even though recent new headlines may make one to believe that.
So before we make this our #1 concern, I ask you...what exactly would you consider being government supported?
What percentage of people actually rely on government programs or assistance for survival....to buy food, to pay rent, to get medical attention. If you drive on a non-toll highway or buy corn from the grocery store, are you taking advantage of government support? Where do we draw the line? What level do you think is acceptable?
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We all basically rely on government services to survive. Look at any place without a functioning government, and what fills that power vacuum. The issue gets a little more complicated when you're talking about direct verses indirect government services. The point of government programs that directly provide food, shelter, and health care is that we would pay even more money if we did nothing, whether that's in crime costs, fighting disease, or having an increasing large and dissatisfied impoverished underclass.
ReplyDeleteBut we all benefit from the indirect services that make up the majority of our government spending, even libertarians who like to pretend they don't exist. A functioning modern economy relies on an educated populace (which compulsory, free public education provides), safe communities (law enforcement, emergency services), stable wages (sound monetary policy). All the direct government intervention services, as minimally funded as they are, are designed to allow the rest of society to take their indirect services for granted, so they can make money, pay taxes, and continue the cycle.
The point is, trying to eliminate direct intervention services is the equivalent of removing seat belts and brakes in your car to increase gas mileage.