In my mind, it's not the direction of the redistribution that matters. It's the whole notion of a Federal role in redistribution and the senses of entitlement and resentment redistribution provokes. Not to mention the inefficiency.
You're opening up a completely different conversation when you move to the pros and cons of redistributive social policy. My only point was that it's compatible with a good many political/social programs and easily encompassed within, broadly speaking, a label like capitalism.
As for the kinds of consequences you bring up, I think it depends on the type of program and how it is administered, rather than the fact of redistribution.
For instance, and this is a very, very long conversation, despite my quarrels with the regressive character of social security taxes, I consider it, along with medicare, the great safety net for the elderly. Changed their lives. Much, much for the better. Well, given my years, I should say "our." |
