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Joined: 28 Dec 2005 Posts: 11987
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 2:48 pm Post subject: Entitlements |
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PeakTrader:
I doubt Europe has dealt enough with its structural problems.
The U.S. also has structural problems, although on a smaller scale, e.g. the recent explosion of entitlements, which likely is causing disincentives to work, for people receiving benefits and people paying benefits.
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Of course, a safety net is needed.
And, promoting employment will strengthen the safety net.
Yet, too many Americans dropped-out of the workforce or work part-time.
Entitlement spending too often makes bad situations worse, e.g. causing couples to, irresponsibly, have more children than otherwise, which society pays for (in many ways).
Some people will limit or avoid work (for years) to eventually receive low-income housing, “free” medical care, government checks, food stamps, etc..
And, some people may be getting more government benefits than others, just because they know how to “play-the-system.”
Moreover, why are Americans paying for tens of millions of low-skilled immigrants and their children from dirt poor countries? The U.S. didn’t create the poor economic policies in those countries. What about black Americans, who are poorer than other Americans, after suffering from slavery and racism for many generations? Why encourage more poor immigrants to receive more entitlements, or reward irresponsible behavior?
I think, we need to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, remove and reduce some of the $2 trillion a year of federal regulations, and direct government benefits to the really needy instead of creating a society where most people are always on government life support.
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