But you know what effect that would have, yes? You (or rather the aggregate "you", i.e. the average American tax-payer) wouldn't give nearly as much to charity as you currently pay in taxes -- and that's even taking into account the fact that Americans are some of the most charitable people on the planet (in financial terms).
So people who are currently struggling, and rely on government assistance to get by? They will struggle more. People who fall on hard times, and need a bit of help to get back on their feet? Much less likely to get it.
We live in an era of unprecedented abundance. That we are unwilling, that our system is unable, to provide even a basic standard of living for all of our citizens -- that on its own is already a deep, deep, condemnation of how we do things. To go even further, to destroy the bits of aid we do give out, without even trying to replace or rebuild them?
Meh. It’s provable over and over that excess government creates a charity trap for the vulnerable. it is my direct and repeated experience working with various charities, an unwillingness to leave government programs is what holds so many people in poverty.
I am more than happy to discuss a re-written Social Security net for American citizens who are truly struggling, but not those looking for lifelong paycheck for nothing. Today we have a grossly abused, wildly expensive, and unbudgetable aid program. And it’s all by design.
We can by all means cut fraud written systems today with plans to add back the necessary functions later. Rewrite and consolidate for the modern era.
So people who are currently struggling, and rely on government assistance to get by? They will struggle more. People who fall on hard times, and need a bit of help to get back on their feet? Much less likely to get it.
We live in an era of unprecedented abundance. That we are unwilling, that our system is unable, to provide even a basic standard of living for all of our citizens -- that on its own is already a deep, deep, condemnation of how we do things. To go even further, to destroy the bits of aid we do give out, without even trying to replace or rebuild them?