Michael Dell Pledges $36M in Harvey Relief • Hacker News Board

Re: Michael Dell Pledges $36M in Harvey Relief

#71

Post by SoMisanthrope » Sun, Sep 03, 2017, 12:02 AM UTC

thanksgiving wrote: post #50

mc32 wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Wait but if we discourage further development in the flood plains, we just have existing property owners a huge gift because their property values soar. But the proposed insurance would become less affordable over time (tapering off the subsidy), off-setting the increased value due to scarcity.

Sorry but can we trust ourselves to turn off that tap? Nobody will complain if we keep the tap running but plenty will complain if we turn it off. I for one don't trust these "fiscal conservatives" in the red states to put their money where their mouth is. Everyone always talks about reducing government spending but they always mean spending that I don't benefit from.

@thanksgiving you nailed it. "spending that I don't benefit from." That's why we need an Article 5 Convention of the States to enforce term limits on all three branches of the Federal government... yes, the judiciary especially.

Re: Michael Dell Pledges $36M in Harvey Relief

#72

Post by Khelavaster » Sun, Sep 03, 2017, 4:39 AM UTC

mc32 wrote: post #45

danans wrote: post #25

Sincere props to Michael Dell and other very wealthy individuals who are donating generously, but it raises the question of why this sort of gesture is even necessary in our society. Making people financially whole and getting them back on their feet in the aftermath of a disaster of these proportions should be handled by insurance, and when that falls short, the government. The problem is not that the money is priva…

The problem caused by flooding is exacerbated or at least continued by government subsidies in the first place. Flood insurance it too cheap, especially in flood plains (Houston being one such). Moreover, the floodplain prairie is paved over diminishing the capacity of the floodplain itself to absorb water. Congress tried reforming it back in '12, but unreformed it after they reformed it because "premiums were gettin…

Flood insurance was purchased by fewer than 2 in 10 Houston homeowners. Lax zoning encouraged building in high-risk areas and then living without expensive insurance, hoping for the best.

Re: Michael Dell Pledges $36M in Harvey Relief

#73

Post by kirse » Mon, Sep 04, 2017, 4:57 AM UTC

dieterrams wrote: post #55

kirse wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem is not that the money is private, but that it's donation relies on the compassion of individuals, not on laws. As it should be. Generosity should not be forced on people via fear of the law (i.e the consequences for not paying your taxes). Even further, a private citizen is often far more in control of the effective distribution of their resources as compared to government.

You see it as enforced generosity. Others see it as general societal obligation to take care of its members when hit by forces not under their control. If you were hit by similar circumstances, I'm not sure you'd be as quick to denounce "forced" generosity, especially if there wasn't a sympathetic local billionaire around. That said, I'm sympathetic to the general problem of government not utilizing resources efficie…

You see it as enforced generosity.

Nah, it's not a matter of perspective, because that's exactly what it is. Citizens are motivated to pay their taxes through fear of the consequences of disobeying the law. Thus, generosity that is forced on a citizen via taxes is ultimately fear-based (not compassion-based) generosity.

Others see it as general societal obligation to take care of its members

Which is why we Americans have started and serve in hundreds of thousands of private organizations from churches to food banks to shelters to clothing charities and more, and many are quite effective at providing in times of need. If I was hit by similar circumstances, I would go to one of these already-existing institutions and seek aid.

Re: Michael Dell Pledges $36M in Harvey Relief

#74

Post by dieterrams » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 1:04 AM UTC

kirse wrote: post #73

dieterrams wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You see it as enforced generosity. Others see it as general societal obligation to take care of its members when hit by forces not under their control. If you were hit by similar circumstances, I'm not sure you'd be as quick to denounce "forced" generosity, especially if there wasn't a sympathetic local billionaire around. That said, I'm sympathetic to the general problem of government not utilizing resources efficie…

You see it as enforced generosity. Nah, it's not a matter of perspective, because that's exactly what it is. Citizens are motivated to pay their taxes through fear of the consequences of disobeying the law. Thus, generosity that is forced on a citizen via taxes is ultimately fear-based (not compassion-based) generosity. Others see it as general societal obligation to take care of its members Which is why we Americans…

It's unfortunate that you're unable to even imagine that some people see paying taxes--for this purpose specifically, even--as an obligation, however much they may grumble about waste and "lost" income.