Hantlers explains why things are the way they are on reservations

[One Brow]

There's probably people making this decision: I can get by in poverty, so why would I choose to work harder and spend my time more wisely for little or no net benefit?

So, most humans? I don't know. But are there some? Undoubtedly.

Exactly. People need to think that there's something better at the end of the tunnel to go through it.

 

[Stoked]

If you are convinced the best you can ever do is one penny above poverty, then I agree there is little to be gained for getting that one penny. On the other hand, many people take that penny if they believe in a few years it can become dollars.

Before the handouts, poverty was much more widespread and much more stark in the US.

I'm a pragmatist. Figuring out what works is more important than adhering to any particular economic theory.

And many do not. They cannot survive those few years and are therefore kept in poverty by necessity.

 

[8]

And many do not. They cannot survive those few years and are therefore kept in poverty by necessity.

I'll roll with this response. Thanks stoked

 

[Stoked]

I'll roll with this response. Thanks stoked

You're welcome. This is an area that I have first hand/real world experience and knowledge in.

 

[PearlWatson]

My kids are motivated by wanting to please us, by the joy of doing new things, and by a desire to improve themselves. I don't need to use things as motivators. If I tell my son to mow the lawn, he mows it whether I offer money or not (the money may improve the speed with which it gets done, but it gets done regardless).

You realize we ain't really talking about parenting right?

No citizen has a desire to please the government...if the dependent thinks they have no other/better options (despite reality) they are going to do what it takes to keep the people in power who promise to keep the spigot turned on.

If you rob Peter to pay Paul you'll get the support of Paul.

 

[One Brow]

You realize we ain't really talking about parenting right?

No citizen has a desire to please the government...

People have a desire to please themselves and impress their compatriots; this seems close to universal among mammals, much less humans.

 

[moevillini]

People have a desire to please themselves and impress their compatriots; this seems close to universal among mammals, much less humans.

oh brother...

I'm sure we could have a very lively discussion on equine motivation. I'm sure California Chrome really impressed all his horse buddies with his win in the Derby this past weekend! And I'll bet he's feeling pretty darn pleased with himself.

 

[8]

oh brother...

I'm sure we could have a very lively discussion on equine motivation. I'm sure California Chrome really impressed all his horse buddies with his win in the Derby this past weekend! And I'll bet he's feeling pretty darn pleased with himself.

Horses are reptiles iirc

 

[moevillini]

Horses are reptiles iirc

well heck, yer right!

what're the odds?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAiF-G0PaRM


a/k/a sand goanna
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_goanna

 

[One Brow]

oh brother...

I'm sure we could have a very lively discussion on equine motivation. I'm sure California Chrome really impressed all his horse buddies with his win in the Derby this past weekend! And I'll bet he's feeling pretty darn pleased with himself.

I don't know about the Derby, but horses do battle for position in wild herds, to my understanding.

 

[jimmy eat jazz]

OB - let me ask you two questions.

Does black america have serious societal and economical problems that cannot be blamed on the white man or racism?

Do you think the current welfare system is doing black america any favors?

While Bundy spoke like a true ***, he had some roots of truth in there. And I seriously doubt he had any ill intent or racism in his comments.

Let me try to answer.

1. I would imagine that the simple answer to this is Yes. This is not, however, as clear cut as you might imagine. Racism and its legacy have become so intertwined with the black experience that separating it out from all other contributory factors is challenging. For example, many of the problems of inner city black America are a direct or indirect result of the redlining policies practiced by mortgage lenders for decades. There is a fascinating This American Life episode on this and George Romney's (father of Mitt) unsuccessful fight against it as Sec of Housing and Urban Development under Nixon. Allow me to suggest that racism and its lingering effects go far deeper than you (or other non-blacks) who live's give them no context to understand it can really understand. I don't go as far as to blame all problems on racism, but many are its ******* children or more distant relatives.

2. Absolutely Yes. There is a good deal of empirical info that for many (if not most) on welfare, food stamps etc., it is a transitory episode. People go on and off welfare as their situation warrants. Your question implies that most welfare recipients are hard core and bilking the system. I do not believe this is true. There is a good deal of empirical evidence also that the War on Poverty has had a significant impact on lessening poverty in this country.

I infer from your questions that you possess an simplistic and possibly politically (ideologically) perspective on welfare. It's much, much more complex than that.

Note I am not a 'bleeding heart liberal,' on this issue. Welfare isn't perfect, and it is abused frequently, but it also does much good. There are also many stereotypes about it and the people on it that, as most stereotypes go, are simplistic and inaccurate.