Why Are So Many On Welfare

[DoktorZ]

Having lived in Europe, Asia, and N America, I found it much harder to get by in the US than elsewhere, on roughly equal salaries. There are lots of little costs that enter into the equation--things that don't pop up on analyses of nations' CPI and PPP. Also, in the US you definitely get the sense that, if you hit rock bottom, it's hard, hard fall indeed. I live in Europe now, and I would say I have a much higher standard of living, but people define these things in different ways, I suppose.

On welfare, I don't really mind it--it seems preferable to open class warfare. I think I would respond to the OP's question by asking, "Why do so many assume that full employment is a possibility?" I have accepted the fact that some people will never work. Even with my high taxes to support public health and the welfare state here, I live very well. Given what I've seen of public housing and life on welfare / benefits, I think most people who can work, can find work, and land work that pays well enough, will choose that over public support immediately.

Z