We are not Germany in case you haven't noticed. And they are benefiting from our help actually and it won't be long before they collapse also.What reasons do you have for rejecting even the idea of a fair social system? Why would it bankrupt the US economy? I don't know of any country that he been bankrupted by its social programme.
Take Germany as an example. It has a full set of benefits and protections and is doing well even through the world recession. Britain has not done so well through the recession but still everyone has full health care, including preventative care for women and people over 60 years, unemployment and disability benefits, a good State pension scheme and a good education system. Social housing and other benefits are available for those forced from their homes and even before that happens the State helps the unemployed with rents and mortgage payments.
I know many people from countries that have such benefits and none would wish to see them go.
It's all paid for through taxes, of course, with employers contributing a substantial share of the cost. However, most in regular employment live reasonably comfortably with their own transport and homes and no shortage of food despite their tax obligations.
I maintain that strong social programmes are beneficial not only to citizens but also to the economy. I have lived with such a programme since I was two years old and don't regret any of the taxes that I have paid for it.
I suppose that the well healed who can pay for all of their own needs, whether employed, healthy or not, may be tempted to resent paying taxes that benefit others, but that's a mistaken attitude. Firstly, taxpayers already fund social benefits such as roads and government agencies. Secondly, we are considering here moral obligations in societies where some of its members fall upon hard times. If one believes in 'me, me, me and blow everyone else' fair enough, but I thought that most of us here live by a creed or set of personal beliefs that are better than that. I won't start quoting the New Testament because that's not my thing but I hope my meaning is clear.
At least, if you have never experienced State schemes such as those I have described, consider the possible benefits for individuals and society in general before rejecting the idea.
I'm not sure why a thread about a fellow chicken raiser who was driven to suicide is now a debate on socialism. Doesn't make sense.
I agree...