Income gap still widening

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi


Perhaps the solution would be to do so through private charities rather then state assistance. Clearly state assistance can be abused in many ways that smaller charities cannot.

What makes you think people don't abuse private charities?

[Patroklos]

It will probably bring down the higher income numbers when more people retire.

Yeah, but they have to go somewhere. With an income of zero, I think it is safe to assume where that will be.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Kidicious
It's pretty hard to find an apartment for $350 in the US Snoopy.

I was living in an urban area in an apartment for 400$ a month up to 2 years ago.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse


I was living in an urban area in an apartment for 400$ a month up to 2 years ago.

Yes, but most of us have seen The Wire.

[Ben Kenobi]

Yes, because the rich people who skimp enough to get a government handout card are going to give enough money to private charity to sustain the schem

Oh, so the issue really isn't the abuse of the public benefit system. Clearly forcing them to pay so that they hide their assets and cheat the system is a significant improvement.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse


I was living in an urban area in an apartment for 400$ a month up to 2 years ago.

Were they selling crack next door?

[Ben Kenobi]

What makes you think people don't abuse private charities?

Generally when it's your money, you care more who it goes to.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Kidicious


Were they selling crack next door?

No, but they were using heroin.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi


Generally when it's your money, you care more who it goes to.

I've worked for charities. I can tell you that's not always the case. The govt is typically held much more accountable for their actions than charities are.

[snoopy369]

Outside of large urban areas it's not hard to find a studio for $350. I know several people who have such. Houses in some towns cost in the $400-$500 range, for that matter.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse

No, but they were using heroin.

I'm sorry I was joking. That was in poor taste.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Agathon


Yes, but most of us have seen The Wire.

I almost got into a car accident with the actor who played Omar Little.

He flipped me off, and I yelled a string of curse words at him.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi

Oh, so the issue really isn't the abuse of the public benefit system. Clearly forcing them to pay so that they hide their assets and cheat the system is a significant improvement.

No. It's a series of ridiculous policies that mean that wealthy people often don't pay tax, thus forcing the burden on to the middle and working classes.

It's a ****e state of affairs, but nearly two decades of right wing mismanagement means that New Zealand is now a retirement home for wealthy foreigners.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Agathon


I'm sorry I was joking. That was in poor taste.

They were staying rent free because they were "working" on the house for my landlord (he owned both houses). We called the cops on them a couple of times because the guy was beating up on his wife. They had their 16 year old son with them, and one day 4 cop cars rolled up the wrong way on my street, 6 cops burst out and they kicked down the door. Apparently the son had mugged some guy on the street and walked home (during the middle of the day) some passers-by followed him home and called the cops on him.

Criminal and stupid

[Ben Kenobi]

I've worked for charities. I can tell you that's not always the case. The govt is typically held much more accountable for their actions than charities are.

Accountable to whom?

I've worked for both, and yes, the charities have less public scrutiny, but they are much more careful about the bottom line, and where the money goes.