The Social Contract?

[Berzerker]

by the way... would anyone here be bothered by having a whole lot of homeless seniors begging in the streets?

I would, which is why the title is ironic. The original social contract comes between families, where the children take care of the parent when the parent gets old, as the parent took care of the children, when the children were young.

No government in there, eh?

In the name of making the elderly independent from their families we've made them dependent on government. I guess in a broad sense, that's the difference between left and right.

[David Floyd]

what about homeless children? just asking if anyone homeless bothers you, not on topic.

Do I feel bad for them? Yes. Do I give them money? No, nor am I likely to while I still pay taxes for social programs - that's forced charity, and it prevents me from being able to afford to give voluntarily without messing with my lifestyle. Would I help people in the absence of coercion? In some circumstances, sure.

But I know for a fact there are jobs available. I work at Best Buy, as you probably know. In the past 6 months, my store has hired (and turned over, and re-hired, etc.,) probably 60+ people. It's the same in the Best Buy closest to me. That's just one company. There ARE jobs out there, and ultimately, that's why I don't tend to feel all that bad for homeless people.

[Al B. Sure!]

In the name of making the elderly independent from their families we've made them dependent on government. I guess in a broad sense, that's the difference between left and right.

explain...

the way i see it, the moral decay of society necessitates gov't intervention.

[David Floyd]

yeah well it doesnt work like that... you're lucky if your parents take care of you as a child to begin with

*shrug* My parents took care of me - and they were divorced. Is that lucky? No, I don't think so - as Ben said, that's the way it's supposed to be. Sure, some parents don't take care of their kids, but that doesn't mean that because of that, I can or should be able to be made into an involuntary long distance foster parent (through forced "donations").

[Al B. Sure!]

Dave:

an 85 year old woman can't work at best buy...

[David Floyd]

Nope, but I see 'em at Walmart all the time.

[Al B. Sure!]

*shrug* My parents took care of me - and they were divorced. Is that lucky? No, I don't think so - as Ben said, that's the way it's supposed to be. Sure, some parents don't take care of their kids, but that doesn't mean that because of that, I can or should be able to be made into an involuntary long distance foster parent (through forced "donations").

you're an *******, dave...

[Nubclear]

I think we should just abolish taxes alltogether.

If people are dying in the streets, then clearly god wants them dead or else he'd give them food

[Al B. Sure!]

Tass:

If people are dying in the streets, then clearly god wants them dead or else he'd give them food

mana... not food... mana...

don't you Mormons read your scripture?

[Imran Siddiqui]

In the name of making the elderly independent from their families we've made them dependent on government. I guess in a broad sense, that's the difference between left and right.

Actually the elderly were independant from their families well before SS, that is why it was enacted. Capitalism tends to break down traditional structures (that is why it is a revolutionary idea), which includes the family. Capitalism has destroyed the traditional family structure in most societies because people realize they don't need the structure in order to live.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
I would, which is why the title is ironic. The original social contract comes between families, where the children take care of the parent when the parent gets old, as the parent took care of the children, when the children were young.

No government in there, eh?

Ah no, that's filial responsibility.

The social contract is the concept that we have a moral obligation to take care of our neighbours and we benefit from doing so.

Despite the conservative propaganda, the government is the most efficient way for organising these social services. The Canadian health care system is far more cost effective than the privately run health care in the US.

Of course, there are always people who would turn a blind eye to someone in trouble; the type who will stop and stare at a car accident, but do nothing to help.

[David Floyd]

you're an *******, dave...

You're the one in favor of forcibly taking my money? Who's the *******, again?

[Al B. Sure!]

You're the one in favor of forcibly taking my money? Who's the *******, again?

in real limited amounts... just so the little children won't be starving... i dont see that as too much.

[David Floyd]

Despite the conservative propaganda, the government is the most efficient way for organising these social services. The Canadian health care system is far more cost effective than the privately run health care in the US.

Perhaps, but if you need a complicated operation or transplant, or a specialist, or if you want to go into serious medical research, or if you want to learn to be a top quality doctor, then there is no doubt that you will be coming to the US, to either receive the care or learn to give it.

[Imran Siddiqui]

You're the one in favor of forcibly taking my money? Who's the *******, again?

You are.