this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2025
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[–] Cosmonauticus@lemmy.world 20 points 1 day ago (2 children)

That kind of thinking is what stops the US from implementing any kind of decent social programs. If your first concern is ppl taking advantage of it you're not really concerned with helping ppl

[–] njordomir@lemmy.world 1 points 10 hours ago

Yeah, when I support a social program, it's with the knowledge and acceptance that some abuse will occur. It's just that I think, despite the abuse, the upside is still a superior outcome to not doing it at all. Maybe one day we'll rebuild the cultural fabric to the point where people don't feel so desperate they immediately exploit any crack in the system regardless of the risks or long-term outcomes. With changes in culture and wealth distribution worldwide, I believe global prosperity is absolutely possible.

I can't imagine welfare of any kind is more abused than the process by which the US government farms things out to private companies. If the poor are suckling at the teet of the welfare cow, then private industry is the wolf ripping it's head off. Just look at the clusters of contractors that show up like flies on shit any time the money faucet is opened.

Yeah, I want my neighbors to have heat in the winter, food when they lose their job, and universal childcare. If I have to pay a few extra bucks a year for that it's better than pouring it into the rest of the money-holes in Washington DC.

OP mentions being from another country. I don't have a ton of experience with countries commonly regarded as corrupt, though I did go to Nigeria once; money flows >>differently<< there. But there's also a stronger social fabric. I don't know if I could vote for any tax when there is suck a blatant track record of shady dealings (though it's arguable we've all been doing that). It was fascinating and I hope to go back some day.

[–] rollerbang@lemmy.world -2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm not from the US... Not by far. Where I'm from many people abuse the system by having an exorbitant amount of children (10+), get free kindergarten care, extra money, don't work, don't contribute to society, steal, cause issues, etc.

[–] Gates9@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago

Are you familiar with the term “anecdote”?