What If We Just Gave Poor People a Basic Income for Life? That’s What We’re About to Test.

[clarice]

165. Very well said.....

Yes, I am very familiar with Malthus...and perhaps he had a,nd has taken a lot of heat for his pronouncements, but
one can't seriously abjure all of his claims, especially in the light of today's world. That said, I believe that the negative effects of Socialism/Communism far out weigh the negatives of Capitalism. By the very fact that production is largely in the hands of individuals as opposed to the State, people in theory anyway, somewhat hold their futures in their own hands. It happens here everyday, under our system, that someone becomes wealthy either through a unique new idea, or sacrifice and hard work. While there are certainly flaws in Smith's "invisible hand theory", it does afford the opportunity for bettering ones economic position.
I fear that S/C isms do not offer the same incentives. And no, Malthus was no Socialist.

I am ALL for a Country as prosperous as America to provide a safety net for the elderly and infirm, but I am afraid our "net" is being stretched way beyond it's capabilities by those who for whatever reason, refuse to play by the rules of our Society.

To your point of TD... Carnot was certainly on to something.. but I'll bet that he didn't realize at the time, that his Laws
could be applied to social structure and economics. Quite a brainy guy was Carnot.