Agreed, although as one of the articles points out the poor houses that were intended for the unworthy ended up being populated mostly by the worthy.
And our biggest problem right now is the stupid government policies that have offshored our industries and resulted in a dramatic increase in the unemployed.
We need to bring back American industry and put those willing to work back to work. Only then does it make sense to focus on dividing the remainder between those who can work and those who can't.
I do think it makes sense to have some kind of intervention for those that can but won't work. And we need to beef up fraud stings for those that collect benefits but are not illegible.
Indeed; but that does get away from Biblical principles too.
"And our biggest problem right now is the stupid government policies that have offshored our industries and resulted in a dramatic increase in the unemployed."
Though it is a subject of the ways of employment are involved; it is a good topic for another thread.
"I do think it makes sense to have some kind of intervention for those that can but won't work. And we need to beef up fraud stings for those that collect benefits but are not illegible."
I know what you mean; I agree.
I'm doing a bit of research on what the Founders thought of government welfare/poor laws, etc.; they often cited the Bible, or used Biblical principles, in arguing/resolving such issues (as with just about all issues). I think you may find it interesting too. Here is an excerpt from Heritage about Ben Franklin with quotes from him:
"Franklin could be quite strict toward those who turned their back on his exhortations. Despite his affinity with the common man, he had little patience for the folly that led people astray. His reflections on the English poor laws, based upon his years in London, are remarkably harsh by today’s standards. Poor laws, he thought, risked falling into that species of misdirected charity that “tends to flatter our natural indolence, to encourage idleness and prodigality, and thereby to promote and increase poverty.” Legitimate relief is one thing, but in excess, “may it not be found fighting against the order of God and Nature, which perhaps has appointed Want and Misery as the proper Punishments for, and Cautions against as well as necessary consequences of Idleness and Extravagancy.”
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/07/benjamin-franklin-the-sage-of-america