pull down to refresh
67 sats \ 4 replies \ @kepford 30 Apr \ parent \ on: If given the task to solve homelessness, what would you do? AskSN
The hang up I have with many people that talk about homelessness and blame capitalism is that they don't really understand what capitalism is...
How do I know this? I ask them to explain what they mean. The truth is, the problem is people. Greedy and selfish people. And... I'm not just talking about the rich. You can be poor or middle class and be a greedy, selfish person. Many are.
The uncomfortable truth is that if you think we do have a free market (I don't) then you have to look in the mirror and realize that the world we have is a consequence of collective choices. And, if you realize that and don't like many people have the answer of the government should force people to support each other.
This mindset kinda makes sense at first but most people that are for this are NOT for forcing others to do things like follow someone elses moral code. Even though that is exactly what they are advocating with "caring" for the poor.
Humans are flawed and government can't fix that.
Poverty is not something that happens, poverty is something that's created. Tom Morello
I heard this recently and it made me pause. For me, this lines up with your thoughts @kepford. We could all end poverty today if we wanted to, if everybody chose to, but we're flawed.
Help your neighbor, it's the best we can do.
reply
I like the thought but I disagree with that quote. Poverty is the default state of man. Naked I came into the world. It is only through cooperation and free trade that man is able to build enough effecieny for the development of society to emerge. For money to emerge. For us to have choice. Wealth is taken for grated far to often.
I reject the idea that poverty can be eliminated mostly due to the flaws in us humans. It can be reduced largely and has been but this requires compassion and generosity.
One of my favorite organizations upholding both of these views is Goodwill. They have created a profitable business that not only turns one person's junk into money but offers jobs and job training to people that would more than likely never be hired anywhere else. Its beautiful to think about.
reply
I reject the idea that poverty can be eliminated mostly due to the flaws in us humans
In case I wasn't clear, I agree with this.
Poverty is the default state of man
True in some ways, but also not. For the fortunate, we are brought into the world by people who care and provide for us. Part of being human is caring for others and being cared for, it's what keeps us going.