Earlier in the year I recall this story..not really about the guy but the mainstream medias vitriol over the idea of it. Basically a programmer offered this homeless man who he passed everyday walking to work a choice to take cash or learn how to code. Bought him a netbook, instructed him and gave him some books. The media blasted this kid saying that he should of been shown a shelter and social programs out there. Blasted him for being some out of touch preppy silicon valley nerd. Flash forward to today and he made a iPhone app which is the number App in a day for the travel section. Developers get 40 cents of every dollar and to be number one hes sold several hundred thousand copies and his homelessness was ended today. Bravo to saying no to dependency on the state! http://finance.yahoo.com/news/leo-the-homeless-coder-finished-his-app--and-you-can-download-it-right-now-195026043.html
[quote name="STilladelph" post="19141211" timestamp="1386738517"]that's pretty inspiring...how bout the rest of the homeless people, what's their excuse[/quote]... they didn't have someone who helped them out like that
Its the job of the state to provide healthcare, housing and employment for its people. As nice as this story is the reality is for every one homeless person this happens to a thousand more die from starvation or the cold because the state doesnt provide for them as it should.
Who gave the state this power and authority? A "state" that has the power to give everything also has the power to take everything. The only thing I want the State to do is enforce contracts. Personal responsibility goes a long way. If not mistaken in the USA the original purpose of the State was to uphold the Constitution, not provide for the needy. From the things you think the State is responsible for you sound a little socialist.
You must live on Planet Obama. Perhaps we should all have Nationalized Apptitude Testing that determines your value and place in society...cant leave that to open choice, we will all live in the same ghetto fantastic towers that emerged in the 1960s/70s that were nothing but rat nests of drugs users, prostitution but hey its housing even though they are a eyesore, then they can doll out healthcare like Russia where you wait in line all day for something that takes 30 mins. After all of that we can further level the field by mandating only one form of clothing like the Communists did and be like North Korea where they have a offical list of like 30 haircuts that the government authorizes to get. You should check out China. They still contrary to popular believe run a very centralized system. Most things are dictated by the state. You would love it!
[quote name="trixman22" post="19142688" timestamp="1386776767"]Who gave the state this power and authority? A "state" that has the power to give everything also has the power to take everything.The only thing I want the State to do is enforce contracts. Personal responsibility goes a long way. If not mistaken in the USA the original purpose of the State was to uphold the Constitution, not provide for the needy. From the things you think the State is responsible for you sound a little socialist.[/quote]i am a socialist.Its very easy for you to say that but i doubt your one of the millions living in poverty. The USA is "supposed to be the most developed countries in the world" yet 1 in 10 people are below poverty line? Thats a disgrace and the states accountable for that.How would you suggest helping the needy without the state helping then? Let them rot like Reagan/Thatcher did? All in the name of profit.
[quote name="joeblow82" post="19142719" timestamp="1386777228"]You must live on Planet Obama. Perhaps we should all have Nationalized Apptitude Testing that determines your value and place in society...cant leave that to open choice, we will all live in the same ghetto fantastic towers that emerged in the 1960s/70s that were nothing but rat nests of drugs users, prostitution but hey its housing even though they are a eyesore, then they can doll out healthcare like Russia where you wait in line all day for something that takes 30 mins. After all of that we can further level the field by mandating only one form of clothing like the Communists did and be like North Korea where they have a offical list of like 30 haircuts that the government authorizes to get. You should check out China. They still contrary to popular believe run a very centralized system. Most things are dictated by the state. You would love it![/quote]Lol i love hearing Americans talk about Obama like hes a communist. He has a few good bordering socialist ideas (basically healthcare policy has potential) but in reality hes not that different from Bush or whoever. When have I suggested any of those things? The reason these places become slums are because the people are left to rot, they are neglected. What communists mandated one form of clothing? North Korea is a feudal family dictatorship why would i care about them? China is a centralised capitalist dictatorship that builds millions of unaffordable large housing to stimulate economy while many of its citizens live in shacks or on the street, thats the complete opposite of what Im advocating!?
And who are you going to force to pay for such healthcare, housing and who will you force to employ them? The second you advocate using force to help people, it becomes completely counter productive and also wrong.
[quote name="Massholes" post="19142856" timestamp="1386779369"]And who are you going to force to pay for such healthcare, housing and who will you force to employ them? The second you advocate using force to help people, it becomes completely counter productive and also wrong. [/quote]to pay for it steady increase in taxes untill such a time money isnt necessary. You dont force anyone to employ anyone, private business should be banned the people regain their resources/utilities and all production etc is state owned, hence state provides employment. Unemployment isnt a coincidence its a necessetie of a capitalist system to ensure wage prices remain low and profits remain high for big businesses.I think youll find people in trouble will be open to help if you offered it and stopped labelling them scum
[quote name="Massholes" post="19142874" timestamp="1386779640"]Foolish nonsense. You are clearly oblivious to the nature of the state.[/quote]what do you mean im oblivious to the nature of the state. Im completley aware of the nature of the state hence i just argued what its nature should be
This is quite the strawman. I dont think ANYONE has labeled the homeless as scum in this thread. In fact, Americans are the most generous individuals in the world, giving 300+ billion in charity annually. If the state didnt mandate the personal income tax for example, everyone would have more disposable income, which includes the poor. I dont see any reason why the homeless and the poor couldnt be taken care, and couldnt take care of themselves better, when the state is less involved. However, it seems like you oppose how the state is operating, and argue what it should be doing. But that sadly has not been, and most likely will never be, the case.
[quote name="goober0331" post="19143066" timestamp="1386782730"]This is quite the strawman. I dont think ANYONE has labeled the homeless as scum in this thread.In fact, Americans are the most generous individuals in the world, giving 300+ billion in charity annually. If the state didnt mandate the personal income tax for example, everyone would have more disposable income, which includes the poor. I dont see any reason why the homeless and the poor couldnt be taken care, and couldnt take care of themselves better, when the state is less involved.However, it seems like you oppose how the state is operating, and argue what it should be doing. But that sadly has not been, and most likely will never be, the case.[/quote]the charity money is a token gesture it is no where near the amount the us makes through its raping of other countries resources.
The trouble with this American free market vision is that its not a case of work hard and youll do well. Circumstance determines your situation in life and its proven social mobility is virtually non existent. Its a fact some people need more help then others, normally due to no fault of their own.
OK, and? Obviously not, this thread is about a homeless man, through hard work, dedication, and getting help from an ordinary citizen, is doing great things. Can you explain to me, how in a free or freer economic climate, people wouldnt be able to have mobility within the economic circles, and leave the struggles of poverty.
[quote name="goober0331" post="19143147" timestamp="1386783907"]OK, and?Obviously not, this thread is about a homeless man, through hard work, dedication, and getting help from an ordinary citizen, is doing great things. Can you explain to me, how in a free or freer economic climate, people wouldnt be able to have mobility within the economic circles, and leave the struggles of poverty.[/quote]More economic freedom means more exploitation of the lower classes. Hence more inequality. It means a lack of security. It means those who are powerful being able to acrue more power while those at the bottom do not have their rights protected.