yod wrote:The so-called "war on poverty" began with LBJ's Great Society initiative.
Typically liberal utopian goals that were not really thought out very well, and instead of helping eleviate poverty it made the lower economic classes slaves to government dependance; while at the same time almost erasing a prosperous middle class by taking their money to pay for it.
I know it sounds good and noble on the surface (like all liberal programs)...but the results are anything but.
Did you know that we had a war on hunger that started in the 60's, and by 1979, we had NO HUNGER in the USA? Sure, we still had some poverty, but the facts clearly dictated that social safety net programs were working, and that most people who used/needed them, eventually returned to work and resumed being productive members of society. It was estimated that only 1-2% of those on welfare were actually abusing the system and less than 5% stayed on it long-term.
So then Raygun comes along and starts dismantling the system.. poverty starts to rise (and has ever since), and now people who once had the support to rise from personal disasters and tragedies were then left to their own devices, and ultimately a huge margin on them were unable to overcome, and stayed poor and in poverty.
Our education system, also dismantled, had a lot to do with it as well. We no longer produce the best and brightest; in fact, we are near the bottom on education among 1st world countries.
Imgine you approach two nations-
Nation 1 - everyone who can work, does, to their own personal potential and capacity. Everything is provided by the collective society. Some embark on extra investments and gain or lose based on their choices, but never go starving or without necessities. The streets are clean, education is available to all, and top notch. Crime is low, almost non-existent, and usually amounts to crimes of hate or passion, rather than theft and greed. Healthcare is equally provided to all, as the collective work of all pays the cost (and there is no profit from sickness) The "society" is healthy and happy.
Nation 2 - every man for himself. There's a few gated communities of extreme wealth, where lavish lifestyles are the norm. Limos, $10M dollar weddings, and back-door deals of greed are the standard. About 2% of the population is so rich, nobody in their family will ever have want for generations, if ever. The other 98% of the society is a cess-pool. Poor, hungry, criminals, who have to resort to stealing, pimping, drug dealing, and whatever else- just to put food on the table. Working for the wealthy doesn't pay enough to live. The areas outside of the gated communities are run-down and in some neighborhoods appear like war-zones. Public unrest, riots, and brutal responses from the government/police are normal. The society is split into haves and have-nots.
You are looking at those two societies- and you must make a decision to move into one of them-
Only a sociopath would move into Nation #2. Or a 1%'er.
America is becoming #2.