Interesting thread. Massadvj, too bad you don't have an online course. I would take it. I know little about economics and never took any class associated it with it, so reckon I'm an uneducated bumbkin, in that I only got an AAS in Human Service. I did work all my life, so picked up things here and there, enough to steer me towards capitalism.
In reference to the graph posted by Liberal, I wasn't impressed, because wealth and poverty weren't presented in dollars and cents, making it worthless. And, what does the poverty level even mean? Because the poor don't have a lot of cash to throw around, doesn't mean they have no assets, like cell phones, televisions, computers and cars. And also, most get free or reduced utilities and house payments. How do socialists define poverty?
Perhaps the greed isn't coming from the top, but at the bottom, because, even though the poor have all the necessities without the effort, they demand more because those at the top have it. What if those at the top of the scale had half or less than what they have. Would the poor want part of that, or would they consider it fair? In either case, it is jealousy more than need that drives socialism.
Back in 2009, all the kids in New York were given $200 for school supplies. Instead, they bought electronics, and other non essential items, and the teachers were left to fill in the gaps. $175 million spent down the drain! NYC costs $20K per student for 800K children, but grades aren't improving. One excuse for the expense was high poverty demands more needs. But then, the government turns around and says the poor school districts don't have the money. Which is true?
We can give the non working people twice the money they receive now, and their lifestyles would not change. We would see even more gold teeth, tattoos, manicured nails and expensive shoes. People need to work and earn money to have respect for it. Until that is instilled in welfare recipients, then poverty will never be reduced, if there even was such a thing in the first place.
And, as much as these non workers complain, as well as those who support them, those who are really hurt are the actual poor, through no fault of their own. Where are their voices? I imagine they appreciate whatever help they can.
