Human Nature and Government Checks

Townhall.com ^ | July 1, 2021 | Cal Thomas

[Kaslin]

Books and articles – scientific as well as theological – have been written on human nature. Still, most people don't understand it, or refuse to learn from it, or worse, play to its dark side.

Some politicians play to the dark side of human nature because it empowers them and extends their careers at taxpayer expense. They never have to solve a problem; they only have to appear to care about a problem. Doubt me? Then why after many years of talking, legislating, studying and spending, are so many problems unresolved?

The Wall Street Journal reported on several states that have stopped or will soon cease sending out unemployment checks. This has resulted in many of the former recipients of other people's money going out to find or return to work. Who knew?

This reminds me of the welfare reform bill worked out by President Bill Clinton and Speaker Newt Gingrich 25 years ago. Some critics then said the measure would cause people to starve in the streets. It didn't. Most found work when they realized government checks would no longer be forthcoming.

Everywhere, there are "now hiring" signs. Some stores and companies are offering incentives for employees to return to work, including cash bonuses and electronic devices. It makes one wonder what happened to what was once known as the "work ethic" when work was seen as noble and having a job that provided for one's self and family was a mark of good character.

During the welcome reduction of COVID-19 cases and deaths, it was widely reported many people were refusing to go back to work, because for some, their unemployment and other government benefits were higher than their previous wages. It's human nature.

As the Journal noted, "Federal pandemic aid boosted unemployment payments by $300 a person each week and extended those payments for as long as 18 months, well longer than the typical 26 weeks or less."

Forbes calculated that combined state and federal unemployment benefits ranged from the mid $500 a week to nearly $800 per week, depending on the state. That's more than some people earned by working. Getting paid not to work can be addictive.

Accompanying reluctance to return to work is another reflection of the dark side of human nature. It is indolence, which is defined as: "disliking work or effort; lazy; idle." Granted, not all who have been reluctant to return to work – at least while the checks keep coming – are necessarily indolent, but many seem to be and that is a bad condition to encourage in an individual and a nation.

Part of this, I think, is also related to the never-ending attacks by the Left on "the rich" and successful. The notion that one is entitled to certain things without having to work for them, along with envy of others who have made the work ethic work for them, is also a bad character trait, because it diminishes appreciation for the successful and subsidizes failure.

What we promote we get more of and what we condemn we get less of. In condemning wealth and success, we are likely to get fewer people striving for those things that improve their own lives and the lives of others. That, too, reflects the dark side of human nature.

We can't say we have not been warned with ancient wisdom that includes this admonition: "Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth." (Proverbs 10:4).

[billyboy15]

I grew up in the 1950’s and there definitely was a “work ethic”. Back then collecting unemployment was not something
to be proud of but just something you took reluctantly until you found your next job.

[cgbg]

Must reading on this topic:

https://www.amazon.com/Human-Action-Ludwig-Von-Mises/dp/1614273545

Von Mises argued that it was human nature that drove economics—and that human nature had not changed since homo sapiens lived in caves.

It is beside the point to call folks “lazy”. They are simply applying the rules of marginal utility. There is a value for leisure time that is different for each person. If work pays well enough (compared to idleness) then people will choose to work. If it does not they will choose to be idle.

Government “handouts” creates “lazy people”. When you eliminate the welfare state the “lazy people” miraculously transform into “hard working people”.

[Reeses]

envy diminishes appreciation for the successful and subsidizes failure

In general, success in life occurs about 10% of the time, failure 90%. The problem is it cannot be determined ahead of time which category each endeavor belongs to, and each requires the same amount of honest effort. It takes a strong competitive advantage, such as Christian faith, to take on that 90% failure rate and keep trying. Socialism's great appeal is everyone is a guaranteed winner, and everyone is a total loser.

[bigfootbob]

I’m 67 and I come from the same place. During that period being a healthy person accepting public assistance you would be ostracized, ridiculed and scorned.

I was so infuriated and disgusted when the 44th President of the United States considered adding millions of Americans to the public assistance rolls as a shining example of the greatness of his administration. The exact opposite was the truth…

[wny]

Agreed. There was a time men would eat dirt before they accepted welfare. Some had no choice with kids to feed. But there was shame. Then it progressed to a “hey, I contributed for years so I’m getting some of my own money back”. But even this involved shame and embarrassment for some
Now people expect handouts as a right to other people’s money.

[billyboy15]

“During that period being a healthy person accepting public assistance you would be ostracized, ridiculed and scorned.”

Agreed. In the late 50’s yrs I lost my job and planned on collecting unemployment. The very next day I was laying around at home when my older brother gets home from work. He asks me what I am doing at home and I said I was going to collect unemployment for awhile before getting a job.

He became incensed and told me if he came home and found me in the house before 5:30 he would kick my ass all over the County. He said unemployment is for bums and if you accepted it at all it was only until you found work and finding work was what you did every single day.

I had to be out of the house by 8 a.m. and wasn’t permitted back in until after 5 until I found a job.

I was back at work within 1 week.