Posted on 10/18/2014 6:47:55 AM PDT by dynachrome
The implementation of the "Minimum Guaranteed Income" (MGI) measure is the most important social reform, Labour Minister Yiannis Vroutsis said on Tuesday during the MGI presentation attended by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Government Vice-President and PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos.
According to AMNA, the crisis has revealed in the most obvious way the distortions, the gaps and the contradictions of the social protection system in Greece, Vroutsis noted, adding that the system was inefficient and incomplete both socially and economically. The MGI comes to give an answer to all these issues, he added.
The implementation of the measure will start on a pilot basis in 13 municipalities and will cover a 7 percent of the population, that is 700,000 persons.
"Today is a special moment because the greatest social reform in the country that is changing what we have known about the social state is presented. It is an innovative measure that is the pillar of the social solidarity of tomorrow," Vroutsis underlined.
On his part, Samaras stressed that "today we are launching in Greece a tool of social policy for the protection of the weakest, for the fight against poverty and the reintegration of those who risk being left out."
This was made possible, Samaras said "with the surpluses of the country and the fact that Greece can cover its social needs on its own." He also noted that the government is putting things forward, which were unthinkable until some time ago, when they ought to have been done, and that reforms make the country more efficient and fairer. "Social justice promotes development and consolidates democracy in our country," the prime minister said.
(Excerpt) Read more at english.capital.gr ...
Income for doing what? The folks here who have guaranteed income are impossible to deal with, be they welfare recipients or dividend-receiving wealthy. Guaranteed income only creates arrogant, difficult-to-tolerate people.
whywork.org
CLAWS Creating Livable Alternatives to Wage Slavery
There already is a guaranteed minimum income. It’s $0.00. Everybody is guaranteed that. Start providing goods and services of value to your fellow men, and you’ll earn above the minimum guarantee. The more value you produce, the more you’ll exceed the minimum guarantee.
If Obama could have just one more term, we could have this here.
That one paragraph is worth at least two college economics courses.
We already have it;it is just not called that.
There is a fellow near my age,formerly a neighbor, who has a very nice apartment ,free medical care,etc. and lives comfortably off the Social Security disability program.He drives a car. BUT he gets all kind of free goodies because his eyesight is poor. His domicile is actually nicer than mine and I work 2200 hours annually,at a minimum.I don’t think he has ever worked.
I say if he can drive he can work.State law requires 20/50 corrected vision to drive so he can see to do many other tasks.Just millions of lazy,worthless people enjoying the benefits of MY labor.The only “work” they ever do is voting for a government that takes from me and gives to them.
Coming soon to ‘Murica.
Hope they have enough bullets to ensure compliance, like the Soviet Union did.
Sometimes I just can't fathom what goes through the minds of socialists. Actually, I can - they wear their heart on their sleeves and shut down any logic to the contrary. The above is the biggest bunch of gobblygook I've read this week. It doesn't even make sense, unless your some over-educated socialist academic.
And liberals wonder why conservatives are fed up with their make believe utopian policies. They don't make sense and their ideals and policies have NEVER worked.
Seriously, read it again,
"It is an innovative measure that is the pillar of social solidarity of tomorrow". Yes, I can figure out what he's trying to say, but can he and the negative repercussions from his socialist teachings? And if he can, does he understand the ultimate consequences of "social solidarity" and why Greece economics are in the toilet? Gawd, I hate, yes hate, socialists.
This is ridiculous.
There are two kinds of People in this World, the ones that think they are owed a Living, and the ones that owe them a Living.
This was made possible, Samaras said "with the surpluses of the country and the fact that Greece can cover its social needs on its own."
Who knew? Perhaps the Greek translation of "surplus" is "German tax payer".
The cradle of civilization has a hole in it and the “baby” will fall to the ground and die. Does that about sum it up?
Actually, its a reform long overdue. Greece can no longer afford its bloated, inefficient and wasteful welfare system.
Replacing it with a MGI would allow to people to earn and keep money over their income guarantee, it would unleash individuals and families to work harder and it would ensure social stability. The idea is to reward people to make as much money as they want and to become rich.
Welfare keeps people poor; its discourages work and it doesn’t promote well-being of individuals and families. No one has any incentive to do better out of fear of losing their meager government benefits.
Its good to see conservatives and liberals get behind a social initiative that shows a great deal of promise in attacking poverty and social injustice. The pilot program looks worth the while. I wish Greece good luck with it.
I understand the reasoning. Milton Friedman proposed something similar with his "negative income tax."
But it does encourage indolence and contradict Paul's admonition, "If any will not work, neither let him eat."
Nevertheless, the program represents an improvement over the status quo, which may be the most we can currently hope for.
What could possibly go wrong?
That's what the Germans are for.
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