Those who live in this situation for long periods of time sometimes become convinced they are victims in life, that nothing is their responsibility, that the world is conspiring against them.
On the other hand our free market is not very good at finding productive activity for all members of society. It leaves many young people without opportunity, and often discards older people.
Republicans and Democrats both tend to dismiss the complexity of the problem. Republicans are hostile to government assistance to folks who have little, suspicious that everyone without a means of support has only themselves to blame. Democrats refuse to acknowledge that some of those without means of support are in that position because of concious decisions not to be bothered with the restraints on their fun activites that are sometimes required to successfully support yourself.
To me the answer is pretty obvious. We need a government run assistance system that doesn't just hand out money, it requires payment for the benefits in the currency most people without means of support have in abundance - time.
The time requirements could involve public service, volunteering for non-profits, advancing educational achievement.
There would still be folks who tried to work the system, so a structured system that progressively requires more time and committment the longer the person receives public benefits would provide incentive for people to get away from the public trough and into self sufficiency so they will have more control over their life.
On the other hand our free market is not very good at finding productive activity for all members of society. It leaves many young people without opportunity, and often discards older people.
Republicans and Democrats both tend to dismiss the complexity of the problem. Republicans are hostile to government assistance to folks who have little, suspicious that everyone without a means of support has only themselves to blame. Democrats refuse to acknowledge that some of those without means of support are in that position because of concious decisions not to be bothered with the restraints on their fun activites that are sometimes required to successfully support yourself.
To me the answer is pretty obvious. We need a government run assistance system that doesn't just hand out money, it requires payment for the benefits in the currency most people without means of support have in abundance - time.
The time requirements could involve public service, volunteering for non-profits, advancing educational achievement.
There would still be folks who tried to work the system, so a structured system that progressively requires more time and committment the longer the person receives public benefits would provide incentive for people to get away from the public trough and into self sufficiency so they will have more control over their life.
