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Originally posted by Sidd Finch
What is "social engineering"? Public education? Public transportation? The military? Courts? Law enforcement?
You've already taken welfare out of the equation, so it's not clear what's getting your goat today.
I paid a hell of a lot of taxes last year. My kid goes to private school. I drive to work. And yet, I feel I benefit from what the government does a lot more -- in both absolute and proportionate terms -- than someone making $40k. There are countries without much public education, roads, etc. etc. I don't think it's as easy in those countries to break into the higher income ranks as it is here.
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The notion of "progressive"taxation is itself a social engineering policy. There's no equal apportionment of the burden there. It's manuevered to effect someone's desired result in the way of wealth allocation/redistribution. Not surprisingly, it does the opposite.
Every policy save basic safety nets is a policy too many. My state seems to have an amazing rate of people on full SS disability. They seem pretty healthy to me, but they get checks from Uncle Sam for some unknown malady. My favorite is of course the govt workers' pensions and Maybach health plans. You do know some of them get full pensions and those comprehensive plans on your and my dime after a mere 25-30 years of work. Nice. I know some folks enjoying a damn solid early retirement. They tell me they deserve those sweet bennies because working among Fed Govt employees for so long qualifies them for that and then some... I don't know if they're right, but it looks like a pretty good gig on the balance whether you're working with the challenged or Einsteins.
Re the comparison to other countries, I don't think that's the proper view of these things. I think the proper view of these things is to chuck the "Let the State Handle It" view that'll trend us toward the economic mess Europe's become and follow a more Libertarian, and yes - very cold and unapologetically cutthroat - societal exemplar. We're fattened and falling behind. Is the answer to find new ways to keep us all fat or is it to let the pain create a more competitive society?
