Wednesday, December 2, 2009
To Aid or Not to Aid.
Posner lays out the idea of Wealth Maximazation for us. Within it is the principle that the wealthy will gain more from this form of economics. In a society where the wealthy only get wealthier- how can we encourage competition amongst the lower classes? Sure we give financial help to those who are underprivledged, but is it really helping? Are the benefits of programs such as Welfare and TANF enough to foster normal development in our society? The argument has been raised hundreds of times as to whether or not we should even provide these services, but maybe that isn't the argument that we should be making. People receive these benefits because they are genuinly in need. Yes, there will be some people who take advantage of this wrongfully, but such is every aspect of life. If you do any research on the topic, or simply talk to someone who makes his living soley on governmental aid, then you would surely find that the aid that we are giving is not very much at all. As the wealthy continue to get wealthier, and as inflation continues to plague our nation these people living from day to day from government aid are being left by the sidelines. Once you are put in a position of such inferiority it is hard to get the gumption to get back on the horse and try to compete again. People receive aid because they are in a time of need, but the aid that they receive is lower than their need. This makes people down, and less likely to be competitive. Should we provide more aid to those in need so that they have the ability to compete in our society, or would giving more aid simply encourage people to not try to work harder, because they are making it by on what the government gives them?
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I think the questions you pose have two sides to be analyzed before answering. When you look at most of society, there is a clear distinction that occurs across all classes, and that is the difference between the lazy and the motivated. There are thousands of success stories of people who have worked their way out of their impoverished lives and into a happy and prosperous life. On the other side of the spectrum, there are people who inherit family trustfunds and are nothing but socialites who never contribute to society. In your final question, you asked if we should continue to aid to people in need in order to encourgate competition, or if we should encourage them to work harder and get themselves out of their unfortunate situation. I think that we should continue to give aid to those who have no other option but not enough so that the lazy are able to live off the government for years without ever putting any effort or work into supporting themself and their families. It's impossible to know who is going to take advantage of the help they are given in a negative or positive manner, but not aiding those who will contribute to society and do deserve it would be a diservice to our nation.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the above comment. I think there is 2 sides and I absolutely agree with there are people who just live off the money they are given without even working. I have a friend whos dad is on disability and receiving money, however he isn't even disabled; he's just doing it to get the money and he doesn't work anymore. I think that people like him do not deserve to receive any aid because they are just scamming the system and getting the money. I think that those people who really do need it and are willing to do anything and everything they can to make money should recieve aid but they also need to work to get more money.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the old adage "teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime" is especially relevant here. Instead of giving money and welfare to the poor, why don't we give them valuable knowledge and skills/abilities? That way their potential benefit and contribution to society outweighs their personal gain, leading to a net utility profit.
ReplyDeleteThe issue of welfare is a very controversial one. I feel like the government aid that people receive is not enough especially in today's society. But, if we provide more aid to people then I believe that more people will abuse this. People will start to depend on the government not as a means of assistance, but as a means of total support. I do think there needs to be a new approach to welfare though. I do like the idea that Evan brought up about teaching skills and abilities.
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