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From: cramer@kontron.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.misc
Subject: Re: Poor People
Message-ID: <1073@kontron.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 17-Sep-86 13:10:31 EDT
Article-I.D.: kontron.1073
Posted: Wed Sep 17 13:10:31 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 27-Sep-86 17:19:36 EDT
References: <343@ge-dab.UUCP> <1937@udenva.UUCP> <174@gouldsd.UUCP> <1067@kontron.UUCP> <910@gilbbs.UUCP>
Organization: Kontron Electronics, Mt. View, CA
Lines: 44

> In article <1067@kontron.UUCP>, cramer@kontron.UUCP (Clayton Cramer) writes:
> > > In article <174@gouldsd.UUCP> mjranum@gouldsd.UUCP (Marcus J. Ranum) writes:
> > > >Whatever happened to Social Darwinism ?  
> > > 
> > > Most of us rejected it because we realize that we are indeed our
> > > brother's keeper.
> > 
> > Being "our brother's keeper" is a wonderful idea -- as long as people
> > don't start becoming lazy just to avoid having to work.  This is the
> > heart of the opposition to making "welfare" (in quotes because the
> > term is nebulous, and refers to a large group of only vaguely related
> > programs) available to those who are able to work.  (Especially since
> > work is readily available.)
> 
>   As usual, the 'libertarians' make seemingly reasonable statements which 
>   mask half-truths or deliberate misinformation.
> 
>   Sure, there is work available for *MANY* (not all) who are able to work.
>   BUT, can one earn a LIVING WAGE doing the work that is available.  In most
>   cases, no.  According to every survey and study I have encountered, of all
>   the "new jobs" being created by the economy MOST are minimum wage jobs.
>   It is simply not feasible to provide for a family on minimum wage.
> 

Minimum wage is still more money than welfare pays.  If you can't raise a
family on minimum wage, you can't do it on AFDC.

>   I suggest that this makes the 'libertarian' argument that there are jobs 
>   unfilled, therefore there are lazy people a crock.  Sure, there are some
>   lazy people.  To typify all, or even most unemployed persons as lazy is
>   a dishonest and deliberately misleading tactic.
> 
> tom keller					"She's alive, ALIVE!"

The most generous welfare program is AFDC.  Recipients are seldom 
capable of working because they usually have small children at home.
On the other hand, the reason the mother is receiving AFDC is frequently
because the father of the kids is unwilling to work.  I've seen it a
lot in people I know.

And yes, even where Tom Keller lives in Sonoma County, there are 
minimum wage jobs going begging.

Clayton E. Cramer