On Thu, 12 Sep 1996, Perry E. Metzger wrote:
Yes, we could be a workers paradise like one of those lovely European countries with double digit unemployment and all. Too bad we didn't go in for democratic socialism while we could have, eh?
If I were an unskilled person I would rather live in one of these countries where I would be paid approximately the same for doing nothing as for selling burgers at Mac Donalds. The low rate of unemployment in the US is partly due to the creation of service jobs with a salary that would be 'illegal' according to European union agreements. Now, the situation is that I have some wanted skills and pay a lot of taxes to support those who have none, and who are not permitted to work for lower than minimum wages. From a pure egotistical viewpoint I really should join the present calls for, as the debate goes here in Sweden, transforming the enemployed into 'maids and servants'. But I don't. I think it would backlash; the 'lower classes' would come back at us and cut our throats eventually (say, when 70% are serving the remaining 30%). With the present rate of increase in world population the planet will go to hell anyway. But suppose the population problem could be fixed. Then, with technology escalating towards singularity, machines doing almost all labor, there could certainly exist a system where the 'dumb' and 'lazy' could be fed and housed properly without anybody complaining. Those who want to become maids and servants for some extra pocket money, well, good luck to them. But to force people into menial service jobs just to literally survive is not to my taste. No, give them minimal shelter for nothing and from there on let the market anarcho-capitalistic struggle begin, for obtaining a higher than minimum material standard or reputational standing. But I get as angry as any libertarian when my tax money goes to subsidizing obsolete eduction, 'culture' and endless hordes of bureaucrats, when all we need is some basic police, courts and the Minimal Ministry for Collection of Taxes (probably based on production of some physical goods rather than income) for Redistribution to the Police, Courts and Everyone - yes, of course everyone should receive the minimal support-without- work and be able to rise from there. Asgaard P.S. Mac Donalds could easily be replaced by a bot.