LogFAQs > #931359981

scar the 1 posted...

And I shouldn't have to be labeled a communist to be thinking this.

You shouldn't, but the only reason the US can't essentially do away with hunger is because the farming industry has been socialized for a century for the sake of "capitalism." There was a point where we were doing this to keep prices from bottoming out, but now it's essentially corporate welfare. Similarly, we don't have to wait for people to build to house the homeless-- there are already 6 empty residences to every homeless individual in the US.

I'd argue, though, that there are a lot of problems that get addressed by "charitable" organizations that might be impossible to address otherwise. I've been a volunteer with the American Literacy Council for about 10 years, and the people that come to us aren't likely to get the help they need elsewhere. They need one-on-one training that's typically tailored to their specific issues. Many have learning disorders. Most professional teachers wash out in the first 5 years, and Special Ed teachers are in astoundingly high demand. We have 20 volunteers in rotation at any given time, and most of us only have one or two pupils at a time. I suppose throwing a completely unrealistic amount of money at the problem could solve it, but these individuals only receive a couple hours of tutoring a week. It's not a situation you could formalize into a proper "job."

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"Can't wait to count out your coin!" -- Bethesda, 2018