Alright PD, seriously, what do you think of...

[Jenne]

I have those folks in my family--takes being humble and NEEDING state assistance for them to come around, as Rata and others said.  Methinks you need new "friends" if they don't get why this is necessary for you.

[hooplala]

My problem is this, I don't think it's right to take money from people and hand it out to other people, just because those people need it.  That not only takes the money from that person, but the dignity from the person it is handed to.  HOWEVER, I also don't think its right to know someone is in desperate need, and yet do nothing about it.

So I really do see both sides, and have no idea which should win out.  It is the major moral issue that I struggle with on a daily basis.

[LMNO]

I see it as paying rent to live in that country.  The management then takes the rent money and patches up the holes in the infrastructure, both physically and societally.


Or something like that.  The fact that I make a decent living is due to, in my view, what this country has provided me.  I have to pay back into that, or I can move to Somalia and see if they need someone to help with their insurance policy.

[Persona Facade]

My father was in a similar situation when he attended UC (University of Cincinnati).
He was the first person in his family to attend college and his step-dad wanted him to be a construction worker.

Because of this my dad had to pay for all off his college by himself. Worked 20-30 hour weeks while in school, paid for an off-campus apartment because it was cheaper than on campus, and rode a bike to school everyday. Even with loans it was hard to pay and he had food stamps.

It may have been among the hardest four years of his life but he graduated and is doing well enough right now to send me to school. I feel grateful and guilty not having to go through the same hardships as him.

If you need food stamps to get fed through school do it, that is why such programs exist. Taxes are collected in order to make life better for the less fortunate/well-off inhabitants of the nation.
You have no reason to feel ashamed.

[hooplala]

I see it as paying rent to live in that country.  The management then takes the rent money and patches up the holes in the infrastructure, both physically and societally.


Or something like that.  The fact that I make a decent living is due to, in my view, what this country has provided me.  I have to pay back into that, or I can move to Somalia and see if they need someone to help with their insurance policy.

Yeah that's pretty much how I look at it too.  Can you imagine paying tolls on every single road, or paying to get into a park to sit on a bench?  I see where these people are coming from, but it would be fucking crazy.  Maybe how things are now is not completely ideal, and its not complete freedom, but its the best that can be done.  As far as I can see.

[Jenne]

Well, look at it this way:  is it better as a society to allow students who will eventually be giving BACK to society by creating, innovating and working HARD to STARVE while they are learning their skills?  It's early payback, and I have no problem with giving them what they need to thrive, when they will eventually be doing the same for me and mine.

[LMNO]

Also, I can pay into a central fund to help out my fellow citizens when they need it, or I can wait until they personally ask for it at 11:30pm in a dark alley with a lead pipe.

[hooplala]

Also, I can pay into a central fund to help out my fellow citizens when they need it, or I can wait until they personally ask for it at 11:30pm in a dark alley with a lead pipe.

This.

[Jenne]

Yup.  Exactly.

[Phox]

Also, I can pay into a central fund to help out my fellow citizens when they need it, or I can wait until they personally ask for it at 11:30pm in a dark alley with a lead pipe.

Fourth'd.

[Adios]

*hides lead pipe*

What?

[LMNO]

Easy, now.  I did buy your book...

[Suu]

"Gregor" and "Enzo"?

your friends aren't even American, they don't get to have an opinion on this.

They are. Those aren't their real names.

[Adios]

Easy, now.  I did buy your book...

Then you are exempt.

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

"Gregor" and "Enzo"?

your friends aren't even American, they don't get to have an opinion on this.

They are. Those aren't their real names.

LOL Scadian.