Bob Blick wrote:
> If you ever do experience it firsthand, perhaps you
> could tell me what kind of life it must be where one
> has so little self-esteem or chance for a decent job
> that welfare is preferable? Since we're dealing with
> anecdotal examples that could as easily be a rare
> exception or the majority case, I should mention that
> most people I have seen who are on public assistance
> really need it, and are not thriving. I do not envy
> them. The only welfare that looks good is corporate
> welfare, that seems to be where the thriving ones are.

Bob, your responce is skewed by your US perspective on welfare. In the US, 
being on welfare carries with it a social stigma (I was on welfare for a 
short period). The intent of the system is to pay the bare minimum, to 
encourage people to take the first opportunity to get off of it. The system 
is not perfect, it does more of providing fish to the people, rather than 
teaching them how to fish, but at least the intent and the stigma are there! 
:)

Imagine, however, what it would be like if there were many more people on 
welfare, and welfare was considered an acceptable form of income. Based on 
what I've been told, the only requirement to get the unemployment benefits 
in Denmark (about $1200/mo, and this figure is from back in 2005), is to 
check in at the unemployment office, and confirm that one is still "in 
search of employment." Such persons often work part-time (illegally) and get 
paid in cash "under the table", so combined with the unemployment benefits 
they're able to make a decent living. If this isn't true, or the scope of 
the problem is exaggerated, I hope someone from Denmark will correct me.

Although I haven't experienced this particular situation firsthand (I've 
only been told about it by someone who has), I did observe similar attitudes 
in the USSR. There were many people for whom happiness was the ability not 
to work. And the sense of entitlement (it is my RIGHT!) develops very 
quickly.

The problem is not only that dishonest and lazy people put a burden on the 
society, but that they also discourage those who would rather be productive. 
Why should I work like an idiot, while my neighbor is getting a free ride? 

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