tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2984122879796894112.post6453150446334765293..comments2011-06-08T19:31:35.270-07:00Comments on James' Blog: Filling the 'Need Vacuum'Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123278529381028579noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2984122879796894112.post-20919086921441192022011-05-31T23:19:28.326-07:002011-05-31T23:19:28.326-07:00Thanks, Will! I had not heard the term "fair...Thanks, Will! I had not heard the term "fair tax" before, but it basically sounds like replacing the income tax with a large sales tax. This is not a bad idea at all, and it reminds me of a line Joe Pesci had in the movie With Honors: "Actually, I am a taxpayer... I believe there's a federal, state, and local tax on liquor."<br /><br />I'm of the mindset that people would help each other and hold each other accountable because of the personal relationship. Even local churches and charities would have a far better clue as to how their help was being utilized than a bloated government agency that sends out tens of thousands of checks each month.<br /><br />The more local and personal giving gets, the less likely it is to be abused. Those guilty of welfare abuse don't see it as abuse because they aren't truly held accountable (at which point, it switches to being an entitlement).<br /><br />I think you are right about our general cynicism, but I also think that is a byproduct of our sense of entitlement. The paradigm shift would not happen overnight, but I truly do believe that people will fill whatever 'need vacuum' is out there (and will avoid supporting those who are simply slackers wanting a free ride).<br /><br />You make very, very solid points, Will. Thanks again!Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00123278529381028579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2984122879796894112.post-45571237513715676362011-05-31T22:27:13.841-07:002011-05-31T22:27:13.841-07:00Interesting take. Although I agree with most of y...Interesting take. Although I agree with most of your article, I believe that, as you mentioned,"...its on a lesser scale". This, of course, is referring to the benevolence shown by others in our day and age in the face of tragedy. <br /><br />While I am a firm believer that America will help/volunteer aid when tragedy strikes (i.e. New Orleans, Japan, Haiti, Chile), I do not think the same attention will be afforded to those in financial need. As a society we have become way too cynical of our fellow man. We don't just give out money to neighbors in need without thinking if it would be mismanaged. <br /><br />Although government hand outs should merit the same attention--I'm always short about 20% of my gross take home--it seems that it doesn't hurt our pocketbooks as much when we did not directly give to those in need. <br /><br />There should definitely be more oversight on the part of the government to prevent abuse. My suggestions would be to limit aid to 6 months and use a fair tax (don't know if you heard of this). <br /><br />Just in case you have not heard of the fair tax, there are few premises: 1) Your gross is your take home, 2) You are taxed about 20% on goods and services you purchase, and 3)Since everyone buys goods and services, everyone pays into a system that they can use if they are in need. <br /><br />I feel better knowing that if someone fell on hard times and is using money in the system, they at least contributed to it. <br /><br />Good post Jim. You have become quite the writer.Will Rivashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00842011792967394111noreply@blogger.com