Separate but unequal: Charts show growing rich-poor gap

[SuperDuper! 230]

Rush Limbaugh Jr. strikes again!

[mawilson 2,133]

Yeah, really. I knew the state has job training programs but I always assumed people took advantage of those opportunities more wisely and not just to kill time and "because the government will pay". Of course, I realize this is just one chick but if she did it I am sure there are others.

Not that I advocate not having job training opportunities. I do, however, question the wisdom of training everyone and their mother as a nurse assistant.

It's actually a perfect example of "government waste". What started with

the best of intentions and a desire to help people has resulted in an

increasing number of people believing the government is here to take

care of them.

[^_^ 5,021]

It's actually a perfect example of "government waste". What started with the best of intentions and a desire to help people has resulted in an increasing number of people believing the government is here to take care of them.

How does taking these classes result in the government taking care of them? It's not like the people taking these classes are being given jobs on a silver platter. All they're being "given" is an education. In and of itself I don't have a problem with that.

My beef with this is on other points. One, the idea that there are no real qualifying criteria to get into a nurse assistant program other than being on unemployment (and having a HS diploma). Two, that we even need that many nurse assistants (we don't). Three, letting someone who already used taxpayer money to take a nurse assistant program then take a certified massage therapist program.

[mawilson 2,133]

How does taking these classes result in the government taking care of them? It's not like the people taking these classes are being given jobs on a silver platter. All they're being "given" is an education. In and of itself I don't have a problem with that.

If you give people something for free, they'll take it whether they need it or not.

You can see them in a grocery store taking free samples without buying the product.

If they had to pay for it themselves, they'd think twice about taking classes that

they knew were useless to them.

[^_^ 5,021]

If you give people something for free, they'll take it whether they need it or not. You can see them in a grocery store taking free samples without buying the product.

If they had to pay for it themselves, they'd think twice about taking classes that they knew were useless to them.

Fair point. On the other hand, I do consider it a worthy aim on the part of the state to provide vocational training to the unemployed. But you're right about the problem with them not having any skin in the game. Perhaps if the training was only subsidized in part and not in total. Or low interest loans. Or something of that nature.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Fair point. On the other hand, I do consider it a worthy aim on the part of the state to provide vocational training to the unemployed. But you're right about the problem with them not having any skin in the game. Perhaps if the training was only subsidized in part and not in total. Or low interest loans. Or something of that nature.

this has always been my argument against a cradle-to-grave welfare state.

If you are capable of working, then the best thing for you is somewhere to learn a new skill or have placement help if you need it. I honestly don't know if we still do this in Texas or not, but we used to and did it quite well. This was the early 90's though the last time i really knew that much about the 'programs' we once had for people on welfare.

[Ban Hammer 13,484]

You might be interested in something called a 'mean', also called an 'average'. Look it up!

don't be an average meanie

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Fair point. On the other hand, I do consider it a worthy aim on the part of the state to provide vocational training to the unemployed. But you're right about the problem with them not having any skin in the game. Perhaps if the training was only subsidized in part and not in total. Or low interest loans. Or something of that nature.

Or having to work utilizing the skills obtained in order for the program to be free. People would choose the courses they take more carefully if they had to pay for them if the education doesn't lead to employment where the obtained skills are relevant. Whichever way you raise the stakes, I agree that the recipient needs to, as you put it, have some skin in the game.

Edited February 26, 2011 by Mr. Big Dog