Nope. Nobody cares. The stories have gone around, and they quickly disappear. The vast majority of the American public simply isn't capable of rationally processing information... they live on what is fed to them. A new episode of American Idol will start, and nobody will worry about that boring political crap any more.
I think that there will be a different in how people pay attention, once SS is taken away. I think that being denied money that people paid into their whole lives will spur them a lot more, because there will be a more tangible, more personal experience attached to it. stories are just stories. but when the story starts to effect millions of americans personally, I think they'll pay more attention.
this is, of course, my opinion. I think we're going to have to split the difference between what you think people will do & what I think people will do.
Because the government has done so well at everything else they've done, right?
Take a look at Socialized medicine in the UK and Canada, then come back here and tell me that we should get into the same boat as them.
I have. and I think they look better. depending on exactly where you are in the country, there may be longer wait times than here, but if you've been reading the news, then you've probably noticed that the wait times here are getting longer too. I'd rather have longer wait times (which we're edging towards anyways) & know that everyone had access to health care.
exactly what part of their 'boat' do you not like?
You're perfectly free to "pay forward" as much as you like. Problem is, you're pointing a gun at me and insisting that I must do the same thing. I can't afford to support the great masses. As it is, nearly half of my income is stolen from me by various taxes, and you're telling me that it isn't enough, that I should give more to assuage your conscience
oh my, I don't think I'm pointing a gun at you! I don't even own a gun. and it doesn't have anything to do with my conscience. at least, I don't think so.
let's take the example of say...austism. a couple give birth to a child that has autism. now, there are a number of social services out there, designed to help people who have autistic children. the are also community groups, message boards & the like. now, this couple, before they had their austic child, never considered giving money to support autistic causes, because they never had need. their families & friends were oblivious & never gave either. It was a 'mind my own business' kind of situation, I guess you could say.
now that they have their autistic child, they use the autistic support services that are offered. they network, attent walk-a-thons, ask friends & family to support the cause. people get more involved. maybe their friends just give $5 to the walk-a-thons. maybe their siblings start to seriously give. & some people probably don't give at all. all in reaction to having a child come into their life with austism & learning a bit about it.
but before the child, no one was giving. that's the problem. people tend not to give until there is a problem that they come into contact with. when they come to ultilize these services that they've never given to, should we say 'no, sorry, you never gave before, this isn't for you. put in for 5 years & then you can partake.'?
now you, what if you came down with MS? or your child was born with down's syndrome? there are social services out there that you can utilize, to help your burden. would you utilize those options that were offered to you? would you be glad that they're there? If we didn't have any social services, we wouldn't have those options.
so, I guess what I'm saying is that, unless a person is willing to forego any kind of support whatsoever, in the form of a social service, they should be willing to pay taxes to support them. & I think we should go 'all the way' so to speak, take it one step further & offer universal health care. maybe you think it's worth it to take youself completely out of that: give no help, ask for no help.
myself, I have no idea what's going to happen when I walk home today. maybe I'll get hit by an out-of-control bus & end up with lots of broken bones, internal injuries, brain damange. I can't work, I lose my insurance, I burn through my life savings, I end up out on the street. or maybe my parents try to take care of me & burn through their live savings, attempting to do so.
on the flip side, maybe I'll be like my grandmas & live in relatively great health until my 90s & only make very light use out of social services. I personally would much rather know that they're there & pay into them, then not have them. because even if I'm lucky, maybe my best friend, or relative won't be so lucky. maybe they'll the one to be hit by a bus & screwed for life. I'd hate to watch that happen to a loved one.
so, now that I've babbled on, I don't really think this has anything to do with conscience. it's more of a golden rule kind of thing. I would hate to have my life taken away from me, through now fault of my own, & not have the govenerment protect me in any way. I would also hate to have that happen to other people. I don't think it's good for society as a whole.