Thank you for your civil reply.
No, I am not optimistic. I simply want to stop this idea that something causes irrational behavior. Behavior is way more rational than some people think, and that's exactly why handouts are wrong.
Why are they rational? Because of the concept of risk. When you borrow from a credit card, you accept risk. You make a kid, you accept risk. Once people start to realize that debt, and crazy expenses are a risk that they have willfully and rationally accepted, then we will see less requests for handouts.
I think that behavior can be influenced, which is something the politicians or if you will "the system" doesn't do.
For example, how is it possible that people get welfare money and do nothing in return?
Some loiter on street corners, making babies, using drugs (have nothing else to do all day) and try to make money on the side.
If the "system" was set up that in order to get money you have to work for it, it would change the behavior.
Anybody unemployed and on welfare can show up at 8:30 a.m. (more than a reasonable hour) and clean streets and neighborhoods, paint bridges, fill pot holes and do whatever maintenance many cities don't get to due to budget issues, hiring freezes etc..
They should be asked to attend schools and catch up whatever eduction they are missing. Just giving somebody money, because they need it or are considered poor is WRONG on so many levels.
We are rewarding lazy people and there is no accountability and no way out for them, as getting money just teaches them that all is good the way they live.
As harsh as it may seem, they should not be given any money EVER, i.e. no cash.
You need food, come to a soup kitchen.
You need clothes, go shop at the salvation army from the donations and while you are there help organize and process things at the place. I see drop boxes not being emptied and overflowing from donations.
You need a place to stay, usually the government is already paying for you.
As soon as CASH stops they would have to change their behavior.
When the communist walls came down and the people flooded Germany, one state (Bavaria) did not give cash , but offered, food, clothes etc.
They had very little takers. People learning the system would actually learn to move from state to state to claim "their" welfare money.
It got so bad that the states had to agree to all pay out funds on the same day of the month, so it was impossible to be at all the states at the same time.
In summary, no cash and no money EVER if it doesn't get paid back with some kind of work or service.
