The left has gone full retard

[Patriam1066]

Originally Posted by JurisDictum [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

But we have plenty of evidence that countries that spend more on welfare experience less poverty. If someone gives you enough money -- you aren't poor anymore are you? The argument that government spending can't decrease the poverty rate is wrong via common sense. We don't even have to delve into the psychological impact of getting money from the government.

It amazes me how free market ideology so successfully gets people to ignore the obvious. They tell you with a straight face that trickle down economics helps poor/working people.

Edit: to clarify, I agree poverty is -- at least for my purposes -- somewhat relative to where you live. This is why we talk about "inequality" more than poverty. My primary concern is quality of life. I feel it is generally lower for the poor. I can't necessarily say the same for middleclass vs wealthy people.

You say "poverty is relative to where you live," and then say countries that spend more on welfare experience less poverty

If a country with a high GDP per capita and a high standard of living as a result, spends more money on welfare because of a higher cost of living than, say, a poorer country, did your stats prove the efficacy or welfare spending or did they just show that a more successful country, with a higher standard of living, has a higher cost to provide basic services? Even if you had data, statistics matter. Sweden would have to spend more to fight poverty than Latvia. In addition, welfare systems don't make Sweden experience less poverty than say, latvia. There are other cultural, educational, and societal factors at play

PS: as for the free market, we had this dude named Hamilton. After arguing for tariffs for decades, he finally got them implemented after the War is 1812. This had two effects: 1. Jump started nascent American industry
2. Provided jobs for a growing merchant marine (American ships with American crews hauling goods from Europe were exempted from tariffs).

Voila, minimal regulation, minimal bureaucracy, and economic growth, wage increases, prosperity! But you support Hillary Clinton, the devil incarnate, so you wouldn't know about fighting for America workers against fucked up trade deals like NAFTA and TPP, the former signed into law by a Clinton and the latter to be signed into law by a Clinton in the future