“our side has no answer to that at all.”
Yes we do: freedom. Everyone is free, with a supportive sociopoliticoeconomic system, to earn their survival. If they want to live they will find a way to contribute something and get by (see my tagline). Few indeed “provide no economic benefit to society”, if only an outlet for charity (the providing of which is indeed itself a human need).
The Left, however, insists on controlling others, passing judgement and rendering reward and punishment unto capital. They have made functional poverty illegal, leaving those who “provide no economic benefit to society” only abject dependency or termination.
IF freedom is the answer (and I think it is) then we have to change our culture so that low standards of living for some (and I mean very low) are acceptable. And early deaths for some folks are acceptable.
Productive people? Go and live a wonderful middle class lifestyle. Government is getting out of the way. Be free and prosper!
Can't quite make it? Well, at least you're free. There's a church down the street that might help you, but just be clear: you are not entitled to what I have. I may give something, but you cannot take something of mine.
That's a culture shift, my friend. I think we need it. I think it would be good. But how do you plan to sell that to the people who want either Romney or Obama?
I say you can't get there from here. Which is why I think there will be a catastrophic meltdown in this country in my lifetime.