The Cost of a Free Lunch

New York Times reporter David Cay Johnston surveys a world of government interference in the market to privilege the privileged.

Brian Doherty | December 28, 2007

David Cay Johnston is a Pulitzer-winning New York Times reporter. His latest book, just out this week, is called Free Lunch: How The Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves At Government Expense (and Stick you With the Bill). It’s valuable from a small government perspective because of its detailed stories of government attempts to manipulate or adjust the market, leading—predictably, a libertarian might say—to benefits for the well-off and well-connected rather than the disadvantaged or the masses.

Free Lunch is full of sharp, heavily reported takedowns on eminent domain, expensive special favors for sports teams, legislative deals that put taxpayers on the hook for private train company’s crimes and errors, giveaways from small towns to attract big-box stores, and how heavily government-managed markets in areas such as power and health care can enrich some at everyone’s expense.

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"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." - Schopenhauer

Kinda like the "free lunch" the poor take when they sit on their fat welfare sucking butts correct?

Or the "free lunches" for all the folks on unemployment doles, because "they get more money from the government, than working at McDonalds?"

Or the "free lunches" from the welfare mothers who have it memorized how much government cash they get for how many kids they squirt out, knowing they can't afford them?

Not really. The poor can not afford food whereas the rich can. The problem of them abusing this can be solved be simply making some requirements that they must fulfill to receive their assistance. For example, they must make an attempt to find a job (much like unemployment insurance in the US). Or, if they do find a job but it does not pay enough to cover the cost of living, they should be payed the difference.

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"When I give food to the poor they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist."

A lot of "Poor" people are poor because they are lazy. You go to a lot of the "Poor" places and go into the houses you will smell alcohol and cigarettes right away... I don't think I need to elaborate any further but cigarettes at the closest convince store cost almost 4-6 dollars a pack.

Not all people on welfare are lazy, hence why welfare should be a limited resource that needs to be payed 50% back to the government over time.

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"If men were angels, no government would be necessary"-James Madison, Federalist 51

This will be a fun and informative learning experience for you.

Do some research on welfare recipiants and report your findings.

Are most of them.

A) Lazy black people.
B) Old white women.
C) White Southerners.
D) Illegal Immigrants.


Ixtellor

P.S. Economics - Day One - "There is no such thing as a free lunch"

P.P.S. I would be interesting to add up all the corporate tax breaks compared to welfare checks.

P.P.P.S. I would be cool to learn what % of wealth is inherited. Who is worse, poor white girl on welfare or Paris Hilton.

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George W. Bush "I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building"

Blasphemy is a victimless crime.

1) When did you have the opportunity to spend time in a "lot" of poor peoples homes?

2) Yes a lot of poor people are lazy.

3) Environment plays a role. Example (How much could you concentrae on a class lecture, if you were scarred of getting jumped after class)
(Second Example: How good will your education be if your parents make you drop out of school to sell drugs. Is it your fault for not standing up to them?)

Ixtellor

P.S. I love oversimplification.

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George W. Bush "I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building"

Blasphemy is a victimless crime.

Depends. In terms of morality and the effect on my life? The poor white girl who sucks at the government teet. In terms of being a sheer pain in the ass? Paris Hilton all the way. I could do without both thank you very much.

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I wasn't born with enough middle fingers.

Doesn't matter, If they are not trying to get a job and on welfare they are a problem...

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"If men were angels, no government would be necessary"-James Madison, Federalist 51

What job would you have 80 year old white lades apply for?
Seriously, how many walmart greeters do we really need?

Pretend you are hiring new waiters for a Resteraunt.

Do you hire the 67 year old white lady, or the 18 white boy?

Pretend you are hiring for any job, under what circumstances would you hire a 65 year old white women over anyone else?


Ixtellor

P.S. Old white women are a problem... Lets trade them all for Mexicans?

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George W. Bush "I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building"

Blasphemy is a victimless crime.