STOSSEL: The war on poverty has not worked

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

I don't call it illogical simply because I don't agree. I call it illogical because it is. There are better ways to get party political support that can be counted on than providing welfare programs. Better and cheaper. There is no certainty that someone will vote the way you want them to just because you provide a relief program for them, none at all, in fact I would anticipate that there is a very low participation rate in elections from people in this circumstance. Prove otherwise and you might get some attention, but all that I know about poverty tells me that these days, very few of them vote, period.

So no politician ever used money to buy votes? Well, on my planet it happens constantly. Anyone with their eyes open can see that (some, not all) government funded programs are as much a buyout of voters as a campaigning politician either greasing palms or promising to. Money buys votes when said votes are not given freely.

[Curmudgeon 227]

So no politician ever used money to buy votes? Well, on my planet it happens constantly. Anyone with their eyes open can see that (some, not all) government funded programs are as much a buyout of voters as a campaigning politician either greasing palms or promising to. Money buys votes when said votes are not given freely.

Au contraire, politicians are constantly trying to buy votes I haven't anywhere ever said otherwise. What's your point in relation to what I posted? I have clearly stated that creating assistance programs with the sole aim of buying votes is almost completely a waste of time and money because if there is one thing that is certain, it's that the poorer (and more dependent on government assistance you are) the less likely you are to vote at all. It seems far more likely to me that government assistance programs are created with the surprising aim of providing aid and assistance. They are actually quite good at that.

[eieio 1,594]

It seems far more likely to me that government assistance programs are created with the surprising aim of providing aid and assistance.

Don't forget...redistribution of wealth.....and votes.

[Dan and Judy 614]

I voted for Obama cuz he gave me a phone.