US economy--all entertainment?

MalibuGuru · Joined: 11 Nov 1993 Posts: 9300

Good questions SC, I think we wait until spring and try to find all the able bodied young men and give them a choice. Work or join the military. So many claim disabilities that don't even compare to some who work. It really comes down to morals. Do you think society owes you something, or do you owe society something.

I could personally make a list of 5 people I know who are gaming the system. OTOH my mother in law could qualify for S8 housing, but expects her children to take care of her. They consider it an honor to care for her.

We must demand an end to generous welfare for able bodied men and women. I don't say starve them, BUT TAKE AWAY THEIR ELECTRONICS!!! Laughing

I think that alone would get all of them off their asses. No electronics for welfare recipients. Really, they'd go mad! Next I'd drug test them. Those 2 items might drive a good portion into work. Laughing

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

techno900 · Joined: 28 Mar 2001 Posts: 4161

swchandler said:

pointster · Joined: 22 Jul 2010 Posts: 376

Old folks complaining about the short attention span of young folks goes at least as far back as Socrates. If people didn't have electronic devices, most people would be reading comic books, gossip columns, romance novels, porn, etc., and very few reading physics and math texts.

I don't see that there is a trade off between entertainment and science education and basic research. We are a rich society that can afford both.

As to whether we are spending enough on education and basic research, it is hard to say. My personal view is that the most pressing need in our education system is to do a better job of teaching critical thinking and conflict resolution skills.

pueno · Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 2807

mac · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 1:00 pm Post subject:

Finally, a thoughtful post on topic. Poinster--do you think that the higher education numbers have always been so small? And do you think the current entertainers on new media like Vine will be able to sustain a career, or are they going to be like one-hit wonders from the pop era?

pointster · Joined: 22 Jul 2010 Posts: 376

I do know people who are on SSI, and they truly need the assistance. Are they able to do some kind of work? Sure, the problem is finding an employer who will hire them, and make the accommodations necessary for them to work.

I also know the guy who runs the Social Security program that tries to help people on SSI to get back in the workforce.

http://www.chooseworkttw.net

During periods of high unemployment, people with disabilities find it harder to retain and find jobs, so you would expect SSI applications to go up. Since it harder for them to find work, it is to be expected that it will take longer for them to return to the workforce.

There seems to be a notion that it is easy to get military or SSI disability payments. It is not ( just ask Mike). Almost all cases are denied upon application, and must go to appeal. Lots of paperwork and medical exams. Then periodic checks to maintain eligibility. Given the size of the benefit and the difficulty getting it, I think the amount of abuse of the system is not that large.

KGB-NP · Joined: 25 Jul 2001 Posts: 2856

Entertainment...you mean like endlessly posting political commentary on Iwindsurf? Excuse me, I have to play some Halo now. Wink

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935