- Capitalism and Alternatives -

It exists

Posted by: Gee ( si ) on April 29, 1999 at 12:44:42:

In Reply to: Why not implement a rewards-type system posted by Anne on April 29, 1999 at 10:17:48:

: Unfortunately for all of us, there are some people who do not want to work. And I also think, who can blame them? However, even though I would like to be free to choose the work I want to do, necessity dictates that I must work for someone else in order to support myself.

There is no blanme apportioned. If you dont work you dont get the consequences of doing so (ie money) - you have observed this reality in your second sentence.

: The current welfare system in Canada assumes that those who receive social assistance do not want to find work, and punishes those who do.

Precisely

: I believe that most people on social assistance contribute to society in many other ways, and it is a sad reflection on society when we measure a person's worth by their occupation or lack thereof.

How do they contribute? And if they do why are people not willingly supporting them, but being forced to do so? I want to know, really.

: That being said, I would suggest a compromise between social democracy and the laissez-faire approach to social welfare. Why not implement a rewards-type system, where those who are using social assistance temporarily have more freedom to choose, and those who are chronic users have their choices limited. Temporary users would not have to report to anyone in terms of job searches and money allocation. Chronic users would have to earn their welfare payments through work in a NON PROFIT setting.

Like cleaning the streets or something? Thats working. Why not do away with it, and thus restrict no ones liberty?

: If the system started treating people like human beings, perhaps we could witness some reforms in our social welfare system.

Precisely - as humans not as helpless or hapless fools.


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