LogFAQs > #958171569

Sigh. If there was one thing I would change about society I think it would be this: let's define the minimum we would morally want someone who doesn't contribute to society to have: I'm thinking something like a (safe) 100 square foot studio apartment with basic food and basic health care, although we're still going to need prisons and treatment centers (hopefully more of the latter) for those who can't follow rules. And somewhat more space for families with kids. I don't care about the details, frankly, so long as we all agree it's the humane minimum. We could take pride in how we treat our poor.

Let's also define the maximum wealth that a single person can accumulate (anything over is donated to the gov or charities, perhaps as a matter of pride). Everything inbetween is free game based on your work ethic, resources, etc etc as traditional for America. In that system, do I care if you don't work? Not really: you can live in your hole if you want. If employeers want to lure you out they'll have to offer you something worth your time. Presumably you are going to want electronics, services, interesting food/drink etc even if you choose the hole so the motivation remains.

That's not going to happen, of course, but it is clearly the answer to many of our biggest problems. If we could only be honest and do that all of these conversations about minimum wages, 1%s, health care, etc would disappear. The tax debates would be simplified and based on these agreed-upon minimums/maximums.

Illegal aliens? Reform the system so there is an appropriately difficult (but realistic enough that it's used) pathway to citizenship. It's again the only way.

If we would stop complaining about each other we might actually have a pleasant and productive society again. I can dream.

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Pronounced "Whup-pot". Say it. Use it.