Post edited 8:11 am – February 22, 2012 by thecharlesriver

GreaterClarendon said:

I think it simply has to do with some people make decisions based on logic, while others base decisions based on emotions – kind of a Venus and Mars scenario.  The only problem is that making financial decisions based on emotions, and not logic, creates waste and inefficient use of government resources.  Conservatives who make financial decisions based on logic believe that there should only be a safety net once a person has hit rock bottom, and by not allowing people to hit bottom, and cushioning the blow, disincentivizes them to change their behavior and instead become dependent on the state.  Conservatives are not being heartless, they just believe that society is better served by self-reliance rather than government entitlements.  Of course when conservatives start making social policy based on their church and emotions, such as on homosexuals and abortion, their decisions are just as ignorant as liberals defining "fairness" when it comes to tax policy.  So I guess there are some moderates out here on the board.

I pretty much agree with the spirit of your argument. I would also add that living on the streets is about as rock bottom as it gets. And shelters are very basic safety nets. I will also add that allowing kids to to end up on the streets is also not an option. More creative solutions are needed, other than the options that are available now. On one hand you do have some heartless conservatives, and on the other had you have some irresponsible so-called liberals. I say so-called because I think that word has been corrupted of late. It's now used by conservatives to describe anyone who is to the left of Reagan and it's also used as a euphemism by hard leftists trying to come off as reasonable.  True liberals are generally moderate, reasonable, pro-free-markets, and for an open marketplace of ideas. (ie: tolerant) That is a far cry from many Democrats these days.  Social programs need to provide basic safety nets and be geared at finding permanent solutions. Programs that do not do that are irresponsible and serve only to make those who support them feel better about themselves.