Lagboltz
Well-Known Member
Right now I think the problem is that there are few jobs because there is little spending. There is little spending because there are few jobs. Eventually this will change..... I hope.Start a thread called "Ways to Encourage Work"
Of course the very first answer will be that removing restrictions on jobs is the #1 thing to do. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that rules that make it hard to get or give jobs are a problem.
As I mentioned, a sixth reason is that there are not enough available jobs at any skill level.The number of poor is not less than it was before gov programs so obviously the charitable programs did just as well. Now that it is a hundred years after the invention of the Alms Houses we could certainly do a whole lot BETTER.
The main reason that you don't see charities today providing basic needs is because the gov is doing that. There is no such thing as a charity to provide health insurance because there is no need for such a thing.
Charities that provide clothes are not maxed out. But charities that provide food are. Which reflects the lack of donations. And of course people don't donate as much as they could because they know that most of the poor are actually fat, they know that food stamps exist, and they know that most of the people who go to food pantries for food are actually using it so that they can make their mortgage payments easier. I am not saying that people should stop giving to food pantries. People should just not be under the illusion that they are providing food to starving people in a country where virtually no one starves.
And what about countries with larger gov programs? They do not have any less poverty as a result - in fact often more.
Worldwide the number 1 cause of starvation and human suffering is wars between governments or similar organizations.
Number two cause is gov programs that encourage sloth and waste.
Number three is drought which does not cause starvation in the US.
#4 is disability
#5 is self determined laziness. I also think this is the smallest reason which is why I don't blame the poor for being lazy when too few of them choose laziness entirely independently.
I do not believe that a lack of government programs would drive anyone into criminality. Even being poor is not the cause of criminality. But a culture that glorifies criminality and thinks that the "five pillars of character" in any way address the problem is in trouble.
I agree that clothing and some household items ares not problems. They are readily available at many thrift shops. Government or charitable food and shelters can't supply the demand. There are 57,687 homeless people in my state, there are many reasons other than you cite. I think you see one of the problems -- criminality is glorified. Kids wear their pants way low because that's what they do in prisons.