Work vs. Welfare

[Last hard class]

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=8&cad=rja&ved=0CFAQFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nypost.com%2Fp%2Fnews%2Fopini on%2Fopedcolumnists%2Fwhen_welfare_pays_better_tha n_work_GGZfz3wTztSW3BoMxn2VrI&ei=FDYUUtrtF5T9yAHeqYG4Cg&usg=AFQjCNHoKdkQTCbJE_fmgbP0lDappe4HBQ&sig2=FsR5S6zc_qiP-JHv23UWVw

A little pre labor day reading for your enjoyment. It is truly amazing how many ways you can get paid not to work. Not sold on all of the numbers ( reminds me of the annual Army notice telling me what my 1/3 of the room was worth) but it still gets under my skin.


LHC

[GratefulCitizen]

Dependence always comes at price: atrophy.

If someone needs help, fine.
They would be wise to remain productive, even if the only work available was volunteer or unpaid internship.

Experience, skills, and a track record would be gained.
Might even become valued enough to where they're willing to pay to keep you there.

Beyond that, money earned is usually spent more wisely than money received.
There is also the issue of access to credit.

A demonstrated income enables access to credit.
Responsible use of credit enables access to better (cheaper) credit.

Responsible use of cheap credit enables expense reduction and capital accumulation.
Over time, exponential growth can be on your side.

Poverty isn't so much caused by an inability to earn as it is an inability to prioritize spending.
This is especially true when considering how time is "spent".