We must do away with the absolutely specious notion that everybody has to earn a living.

[AZ Progressive]

70. In America, it's considered unfair for some to be workings and others not. Thus, forcing people...

to work is justified for the sake of the impression of fairness. To not work without a reasonable excuse is considered not putting in your fair share to support society, and thus is seen as something to discourage or punish (of course, at the same time it is seen as your responsibility to find someone who is willing to give you the opportunity to work, America expects a lot but hardly or inadequately helps at the same time.)

If a group of people including you were stranded on an island, and had to work together to survive, wouldn't people be angry at you if you didn't work, where then your getting away with an easy life, and also at the same time making their workload larger? That impression still exists in America even if its outdated. An easy life is considered largely criminal in America (unless your rich.)

In addition, certain people will be very uncomfortable not being useful, primarily because of loss of value in society, loss of self esteem, and potentially fear of being seen as being eventually disposable by society.

Human beings are not all nice creatures, the realities of the human race must be considered rather than getting carried away by idealism.