Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Dunedan
And where, exactly, did I confine my objections to welfare simply to thieves and scumbags like my neighbors? Thieves and scumbags inhabit penthouses too, you know, and I want them cut off the Gov't tit as well.
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This is where definitions matter. What is the "welfare system?"
Are agricultural subsidies part of what you consider the "welfare system?"
Are military family benefits part of what you consider the "welfare system?"
Are differing tariffs that end up benefiting certain business over others part of what you consider the "welfare system?"
Are the sort of privileged status that courts and police confer on the wealthy due to their ability to influence politicians and hire good lawyers part of the "welfare system?"
Are the sections of the military budget that are used to fund foreign interventions that benefit specific American corporations part of the "welfare system?"
Are the sections of the state department used to strike favorable deals for specific American business part of the "welfare system?"
And this is not a merely academic question: we all want to do away with abuses of the system, but it isn't as easy as saying "let's end abuse." You'd have to either cut or alter programs, and Im curious where you draw the line at regarding state action.