Do we owe everyone an equal start in life?

Post by **GORDON** » Tue Feb 16, 2016 10:17 pm

I think it wont work without taking kids away from parents because I think bad parenting is a bigger problem than lack of funds.

But I am not one of these upper-income peeps who would be hit by it, so fuckit. Gimme.

Post by **TPRJones** » Tue Feb 16, 2016 10:30 pm

TheCatt wrote:Did I ever say otherwise?

My apologies, I must have misunderstood something. I retract any apparent criticism.

As to the best way to deal with it, I think what you'd have to do is set a certain minimum of educational opportunities that is provided by the government. This will make sure no one starts with nothing. Of course rich parents can do more if they so choose, but I don't think their children should be punished for their ability to do so.

We should set up some sort of public school system that provides students the opportunity to get a basic diploma that indicates that they have met certain minimums of education that make them useful to entry level positions that don't require advanced training.

EDIT: No, that wasn't sarcasm. But I do think just making public schooling an actual source of education instead of glorified daycare would solve half the problem.

The other half isn't a problem of educational starting points. It's degree inflation. There are WAY too many positions that require college degrees that REALLY don't need to. Find a way to fix that and you'll fix the other half of the problem.

Edited By TPRJones on 1455679960

Post by **GORDON** » Tue Feb 16, 2016 10:32 pm

TPRJones wrote:We should set up some sort of public school system that provides students the opportunity to get a basic diploma that indicates that they have met certain minimums of education that make them useful to entry level positions that don't require advanced training.

I see what you did there.

My apologies, I must have misunderstood something. I retract any apparent criticism.

He's sick and grumpy tonight.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Tue Feb 16, 2016 10:35 pm

TPRJones wrote:There are WAY too many positions that require college degrees that REALLY don't need to. Find a way to fix that and you'll fix the other half of the problem.

Fuck yes.

Post by **Vince** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 8:07 am

TheCatt wrote:No, we won't end up there. No country has ended up there. That argument is useless.

At any rate, I've got vertigo today and the meds are killing me.

I hope you get to feeling better.

I wish you well.

Post by **TheCatt** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 8:52 am

Vince wrote:
TheCatt wrote:No, we won't end up there. No country has ended up there. That argument is useless.

At any rate, I've got vertigo today and the meds are killing me.
I hope you get to feeling better.

I wish you well.

Thanks

The good news about vertigo is that there are maneuvers that end it (for a while - weeks or months). The bad news is that the maneuvers are like "Hey, noticed you're drunk, why don't you take these 6 shots of vodka, and I promise you'll feel better in the morning?"

Post by **TheCatt** » Wed Mar 02, 2016 1:52 pm

Is there a point where societal good is maximized by the state taking over more functions? Would efficiency and productivity increase in a world where people had fewer complex decisions to make?

I've spent a lot of time retirement planning and managing investments. I spend a lot of time talking to my insurance provider, dealing with FSA accounts, etc. Is that time better spent with me working?

People faculties change dramatically over time. Is 70 or 80 year old me going to make good decisions? Would my personal welfare be maximized with other constructs around me to take care of those things?

Post by **TPRJones** » Wed Mar 02, 2016 1:59 pm

Is there a point where societal good is maximized by the state taking over more functions? Would efficiency and productivity increase in a world where people had fewer complex decisions to make?

Is that time better spent with me working?

These questions are not related.

The problem is we aren't talking about a blank slate here. The main reasons the healthcare system is such a mess is all about private companies reacting to labyrinthine government regulations. If we could wipe the slate clean and have zero regulation I think we'd be in a much better place. But unless we do that, then we have to increase regulation to the point where you no longer have choice and Uncle Sam just takes over. Because as bad as going socialist is, the one thing that doesn't work at all is being somewhere in the middle which is where we are now.

It'd be nice if the U.S. would try capitalism sometime. But we've never been a capitalistic nation; it's been government/business cronyism from the get go.

Edited By TPRJones on 1456945250

Post by **Leisher** » Wed Mar 02, 2016 2:03 pm

It'd be nice if the U.S. would try capitalism sometime.

Fucking amen.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Wed Mar 02, 2016 2:05 pm

Is there a point where societal good is maximized by the state taking over more functions?

Theoretically, sure. It could also go horribly wrong.

Would efficiency and productivity increase in a world where people had fewer complex decisions to make?

That depends greatly on what/who is making the decisions for the people.

I spend a lot of time talking to my insurance provider, dealing with FSA accounts, etc. Is that time better spent with me working?

If something can be done reliably and securely in an automatic fashion, then you're probably better off doing it that way. That's why machines, especially computers, were created.

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