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Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

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Re: Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

#141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the US has enough tax money it just needs to use it more efficiently. If you look at the government revenue per capita of the US it isn't that far off from Germany or Japan. Construction in Japan certainly has a higher price floor than in the US so there is no excuse there, and the various government offices in Japan operate quickly and efficiently despite offering much lower pay and worse hours, in a much st…

I agree that there's a culture problem, if the line at the DMV (which, who goes there these days, so much can be pre-handled online) is the worst government interaction you can think of, you're doing pretty well for yourself.

It is not, and was not intended to be an example of the worst. Actually the exact opposite.

The DMV is intended as an example of a low complexity, low risk task that should be easily done well, and despite that, is usually done horribly. Thats my point.

If the government cant get a dmv right, why would I expect them to be able to handle anything else.

Re: Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

#142
post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This is not a description of human behavior, but of inanimate objects in Newtonian physics. I'm sure we could find a way to make a description of stellar evolution sound applicable here too, but that doesn't make it so. It was always easier for me, and all friends I know, to change jobs and upgrade while you're already in the workforce. After university, layoffs, sabaticals, even long vacations, it's kinda hard to…

> Yea but question was couch potato vs underpaid worker, not a temporarily unemployed person. Definition of couch potato in popular culture is a lazy person that watches TV, not concerned with much. I know more people who lived on CC between jobs, but still moved to new positions, than couch potatoes who got an actual job after that. I don't understand your disagreement with what I said, while simultaneously agreeing…

I'm not concerned about any of the above, it's just how things are.

Re: Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

#143

This debate, like so many other economic debates (welfare, health insurance, what to do about homelessness, taxation policy, school funding, etc.) seems to really be venues for proxy debates between consequentialist and deontological ethics. The two major positions inevitably end up being specific formulations of, "We think that this might be best for everyone on average," and, "We're worried some benefits might go t…

"We're worried some benefits might go to people who don't deserve it and/or be paid for by taking money away from other people." often translates to "you know, untrustworthy people from the out-group" and is a bit of a dog whistle.

I don't think anyone in the "We think that this might be best for everyone on average" camp is unaware of or unconcerned with potential abuses. I for one am not unconcerned, but I feel that these can be dealt with pragmatically - allowing some slippage. On the other side of that debate are people calling for absolutist, heavy handed punishments. (Some, if not most, on the understanding that "honest mistakes" by "good people" will of course be dealt with leniently. Why's my dog barking? Did you hear anything?)

Re: Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

#144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

so you're saying we've hit that point already then?

Getting there. Do you go outside?

Folks where I come from get up to 80% of their last salary for max 30 months and yet it's one of the safest country in the world.

Re: Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

#145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is it your argument that it's good that we make it complicated and spend resources making decisions? Because typically the argument for a universal benefit is that it's simpler and reduces administrative overhead.

No, its that "As with everything in America" is either extremely uninformed or a lie. The US spends an extraordinary amount on poverty reduction schemes of all kinds. It is not an outlier.

[deleted]

Re: Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

#146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cue inflation. A better solution is to tax capital gains and corporate income at a rate that is closer to personal income taxes so that everyone pays their fair share.

> Doesn't raise minimum wage > Still have massive inflation

That's a logical fallacy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denying_the_antecedent

Re: Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

#147
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cue inflation. A better solution is to tax capital gains and corporate income at a rate that is closer to personal income taxes so that everyone pays their fair share.

Adjust the wages by inflation every year, it's pretty simple. I'm not against higher corporate tax rates, but that's a separate problem.

And devalue our currency against every other nation? No, thanks. Input costs to business are often priced in the international market. You'd just have a weaker economy. There's no such thing as good inflation
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