this post was submitted on 31 Mar 2025
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I actually worked in public health.
There was one homeless person in particular. Nancy S had mental health issues, alcoholism, and seizures. She was a 'frequent flier' who came to the Emergency Room at least once a week, and sometimes more than once in a day. Conservatively, she cost the taxpayers $10 million. The time she jumped in the river and had police, EMS, and fire respond cost at least $100,000.
It would have been cheaper to give her a house and 24 hour aides, but that would have been 'gaming the system.'
Tinstaafl, we’re not here to give handouts to lazy bums!
I agree with you. Social programs that provide a safety net for people save more money than they cost. Pretty much any government spending that helps elevate people brings in more tax revenue than it costs. I don’t know why some people can’t see that.
Some people are unable to see the programs beyond "paying for it", and so they think it's like an exclusive club where you shouldn't get access if you have no money. It's only logical until you ask why we even have a government in the first place and see that the most ruthless governments are also the most exclusive ones
Tanstaafl. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. That the phrase comes from the novel "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" by Robert Heinlein. Heinlein's depiction of Luna is interesting, but he loads the dice in favor of a Libertarian society. Prison gangs were a thing when he wrote the book, which is something he brushes past. It is a very fun read, but a lot of people take it way too seriously.
I read some Heinlein but it was just OK, seemed pretty dated ideologically. Didn’t read that one.
If you like fantasy, try 'Glory Road.' It was written around 1965. A young Vietnam veteran gets recruited by a mysterious beauty and her cynical manservant on a quest to retrieve the stolen Egg of the Phoenix. Takes every fantasy trope and gleefully kicks it in the face.