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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: epicure who wrote (3932)	1/30/2001 10:12:48 AM
From: Lane3	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

Steven said: I wholeheartedly agree with the idea of shrinking the gap between the rich and the poor by trying to provide opportunities for the poor. But we can't force opportunity down people's throats, and I don't think we're responsible for providing anything more than a minimal safety net for those who will not take advantage of opportunities. And you replied: We are not "responsible"- but we had better become responsible in our own self interest. Just my opinion. I think that we're all in agreement on the objective--we don't want poverty to destabilize us. We just differ on the most effective approach long term. Whatever we end up doing, I think it's extremely important to avoid diminishing the economic pie because that would be fatal long term. If the pie is not big enough we cannot have stability. Over-engineering by the government diminishes the pie. We need to go with the flow of the system, not buck it. The other thing that diminishes the pie is encouraging people to sit back and take without contributing. If we help people with an accompanying message they are entitled to the fruits of our labor, why should they make the effort to be responsible and contribute? Any benefit provided by the government inherently carries this entitlement message, so help is best delivered through private charity. The government should put its money into educating people so they can contribute. Subsidizing their irresponsibility should come from charity. I agree that its important to have as many homeowners as possible, but we should get them by a reward and punishment system that is consistent with maximizing the pie. Karen