So...when the government pays people to do things, that's socialism?
Of course, but the statement itself is a bit meaningless and appeared to me to be flippant, at that.
When the government pays people not to do things, that's a more extreme form of socialism.
To me, the question is one of subsidy. UI[1] is a 100% subsidy. A WPA type of deal could potentially be no subsidy at all, at least to the individuals. It would merely be directing tax money at a particular kind of boondoggle.
[1] Notwithstanding that the I stands for "insurance," since it's structured as a tax, at least here in the US.
Of course, but the statement itself is a bit meaningless and appeared to me to be flippant, at that.
When the government pays people not to do things, that's a more extreme form of socialism.
To me, the question is one of subsidy. UI[1] is a 100% subsidy. A WPA type of deal could potentially be no subsidy at all, at least to the individuals. It would merely be directing tax money at a particular kind of boondoggle.
[1] Notwithstanding that the I stands for "insurance," since it's structured as a tax, at least here in the US.