"There is no country in the world where so many provisions are
established for them; so many hospitals to receive them when they are
sick or lame, founded and maintained by voluntary charities; so many
alms-houses for the aged of both sexes, together with a solemn general
law made by the rich to subject their estates to a heavy tax for the
support of the poor. Under all these obligations, Are our poor, modest
humble and thankful? And do they use their best endeavors to maintain
themselves, and lighten our shoulders of this burden? On the contrary, I
affirm that there is no country in the world in which the poor are more
idle, dissolute, drunken, and insolent. The day you passed that act,
you took away from before their eyes the greatest of all inducements to
industry, frugality, and sobriety, by giving them a dependence on
somewhat else than a careful accumulation during youth and health, for
support in age or sickness. In short, you offered a premium for the
encouragement of idleness, and you should not now wonder that it has had
its effect in the increase of poverty. Repeal that law, and you will
soon see a change in their manners. St. Monday, and St. Tuesday, will
cease to be holidays. Six days shalt thou labour, though one of the old
commandments long treated as out of date, will again be looked upon as a
respectable precept; industry will increase, and with it plenty among
the lower people; their circumstances will mend, and more will be done
for their happiness by inuring them to provide for themselves, than
could be done by dividing all your estates among them." - Benjamin
Franklin
with the health care bill did it just get worse? an
enlarged welfare state? The new taxes on those who have saved and
invested carefully there whole lives, why bother if this is what our
country will do to us.