this post was submitted on 12 Jul 2026
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I want to say upfront that I don't subscribe to this argument myself, but the belief isn't that people don't want social programs. The argument is that society can't afford them. Supposedly, if people's basic needs are met by government programs that don't require any work from them, then enough people will stop working that tax revenue will fall below required levels for those programs and the whole system will collapse. Therefore people blocking or otherwise countering these programs are actually saving people from themselves.
I don't think it's a good argument, but let's not build a straw man.
Not only is it not a good argument, the real-world data shows a positive correlation between more generous social benefits and more people entering the workforce.
And some people will be even more willing to pay taxes.
(I admit that i have no data but just a few anecdotes) i noticed that in my country where taxes magically disappear and are used for bullshit stuff (eg, during the covid pandemic they spent a shit ton of money on desks on wheels for schools which almost no school got 'em and were fucking useless) and so everyone hate to pay taxes "what the fuck do they use all those money for??" and so people evade taxes which make our situation worse, while friends in some other countries (I think like Denmark, if I’m not mistaken) don't have any problem to pay 'em
Non-combative point. Could you address that point to the military? Per the original post?
I don't understand the question. Address what point exactly?
The original point is : look at all these good things the government offers to military recruits, to entice them to join.
The same people then decry the government offering those good things to everyone. Then they're bad things, suddenly.
The military requires desperate people feed their recruitment quotas.
So I would then like to ask.
Are the incentives working? How do recruitment numbers look?
It's working less and less, the more stupid wars Republicans keep pushing the country into.
Tax revenues are already in the shithouse because the largest accumulation of wealth isn't paying tax. Tax all the billionaires properly and you get a couple of trillions in taxes. Suddenly society will be able to afford a lot of things.
While thinking about this some time ago, I looked into health care and how much it costs a country related to what the people actually get. Most European countries spend around 20% of their budget on healthcare, and get almost free healthcare in return. The US also spends around 20% on healthcare, and we all know what that gets you. So society can easily afford it, it's just that in the US healthcare funds don't go to the people, they go to the rich.
The second point, where people with needs met will not work, is not true. After 1 year of paid unemployment, life becomes extremely boring and dull. Even if you are housed, clothed, fed and healthy, you'll want more things from life. You'll want money to do fun activities and go places, buy a nicer house, car, phone, clothes, etc. I literally know a UK guy that would get £200/month less if he would work (which is a different problem) but he's still considering it because he feels like a leech and simply has too much time on his hands.
ive read that going free healthcare would actually be cheaper in the US than the current healthcare and pharma leech parasite middle men system currently in play
The most common argument I get from people is that their hard earned money would be taxed to go to the undeserving.
I personally don't mind paying my share of taxes as long as it's being used responsibly. I am a little upset that the ones with the most wealth don't pay their fair share.
The sad part is that people are conditioned by the media and lack of education/critical thinking into thinking the undeserving are the poor, instead of the rich.
Capitalists want a workforce that is desperate and does not have basic needs met. So the argument is that if people aren't desperate enough they won't work? Think about medical care. If you owned a factory wouldn't you want workers to show up, healthy and fed and ready to work? Sure they do, but they would rather have desperate people who have no choice but to work for pennies, who can't afford to take time off to vote or strike.
walking in with a couple of button's for eyes and a straw hat
"oh... okay..."