there seem to be some prevailing thought that most people, without the incentive provided by needing food and shelter, would not work at all.

Well to quote Ann Romney, "Neither one of us had a job, because Mitt had enough of an investment from stock that we could sell off a little at a time."

And see, having stocks to sell is exactly like living in a homeless shelter and eating at soup kitchens. If you just have food and shelter given out willy-nilly, who would ever want to get a job???

"How am I going to get someone to harvest my crops if I don't hold their next meal over their heads? Cause no one would work for me of their own free will."

I don't think most people get the difference between not paying income taxes but paying other taxes.

I think this is very true. I didn't really understand the difference until, after another recent brouhaha over taxes, I finally did a little research into what distinguishes payroll taxes from income tax -- I'd been thinking of them all as the same thing.

unless Obama gets caught literally screwing a pooch.

Not worried about that. He likes Bo, but he doesn't like Bo, AFAIK.

Actually, I think some people do. What about the guys that win the lotto and don't quit their jobs(Ok, maybe they just don't want to burn through the money. But maybe it's more than that.) And I don't know if I'd be *tons* happier if my benefits got bigger(A little...woo hoo, f2f, right?) But I know I always look for a chance to make a contribution, and etc.

Speaking of things I'd do if I were independently wealthy, my alumni association is sponsoring a 14-day cruise to Antarctica. Now if only I could remember where I put that extra $10,000 I had lying around...

there's a lame gum-wrapper, jumble-style "Cool cash" joke in there someplace.

Jessica,

you wait a few years, the price will probably come down because it won't be as cold or inhospitable.

you wait a few years, the price will probably come down because it won't be as cold or inhospitable.

Oh god, this is hilarious and depressing and so true.

for discussion above a link:

[link]

The disconnect between what government actually does for individuals and the desire to see Washington brought to its knees is understandable, according to a new study by Suzanne Mettler, Cornell's Clinton Rossiter Professor of American Institutions, published in Perspectives on Politics.

Mettler has coined a new term to describe the vast array of government policies and programs, tax incentives and subsidies that slip from public view: the submerged state (sometimes called hidden welfare programs).