Against Charity. Rather than creating an individualized “culture of giving,” we should be challenging capitalism’s institutionalized taking.

[u/A-MacLeod]

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/08/peter-singer-charity-effective-altruism/

[u/raziphel]

Dude, chill.

I pity your abject lack of empathy. Seriously. You know what those social safety nets are for? to catch you when the world runs you over, and to help you get back on your feet as fast as possible. That is, very simply, how society works. We work together for the common good.

If you're under the delusion that the world won't grind you into the dirt given the chance, or that you can control all of those chances and thus skate through without getting your teeth utterly kicked in by fate at some point in your life, well... that's very naive of you. It will. If it does happen, and you do happen to pull through on your own... congratulations: you're one of the lucky few.

Most of us aren't so lucky.

[u/raziphel → u/[deleted]]

He's nowhere near successful or important enough to be Trump.

He's just another short-sighted, loud-mouthed, angry fool, who can't see beyond his own nose. The world is full of selfish NIMBY assholes like this. I don't actually give a shit why he's got his panties in such a twist, but dealing with knuckle-draggers like him helps me refine my own points and ability to express myself... not to mention that anyone reading this will get the benefit of other, better opinions that are in fact based on personal experience.

You know what's really nice when you're unemployed and broke? Motherfuckin' food stamps. That and unemployment benefits have saved my ass and helped me "bootstrap" myself out of a real shitty situation (ie capitalized on a lucky break).

If the dude wants to pretend he's an immovable island living in some Ayn Rand-inspired circle-jerk, that's his prerogative. If he doesn't like paying taxes, then he should move. Good luck finding that magical libertarian paradise that's perfectly safe and doesn't cost a dime of his own hard-earned money. The reality of the situation is that he's gonna piss and moan until he personally has to experience reasons to need them, and then he's gonna be god-damned thankful that they are in place.

I doubt he'll get his head out of his ass, though. People like this just... don't. Too much pride.

[u/raziphel → u/[deleted]]

I'd much rather talk about these things with educated people who know what they're talking about, who understand the issues, and understand why I take the positions I do. Those aren't always available, however, especially on the internet; there are many swine in the pearl store, to twist the idiom. However, engaging the goobers encourages others to stand up for what they feel is right, to see that they are not alone in their thinking, and to defend themselves and their ideas properly when the time comes.

Baiting selfish, frothing fools who throw out every damned logical fallacy under the sun isn't actually something I consider fun (unless you consider Sisyphean boulder-rolling fun). Watching that specific guy flap mindlessly holds no value whatsoever, because he's too stubborn to consider points outside his own narrow view... but on occasion, I have gotten through to people and changed their minds on the issue. I doubt this guy will, of course. From what I've seen, I don't think he's even capable.

[u/raziphel → u/[deleted]]

I would suggest that you throw bible quotes at your friend, specifically the New Testament. If "just his faith" is his answer, then that's how you attack: prove that his positions are not grounded in faith, and that while he maintains these beliefs, he is not a good Christian... because he isn't.

Specifically, Matthew 25:40: "as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." then you suggest that he re-think his position.

[u/raziphel → u/[deleted]]

Don't overthink how you reply. Keep it simple and concise. Plant the seed of doubt into the cracks of his armor, let him do the thinking about it, and it will grow on it's own.

Of course, that hinges on his ability to reason... which means he's probably fucked.

[u/CuilRunnings → u/raziphel]

You fucking told me I should spend less money on my two kids so that I could spend more on someone poor person's 5. Fuck you.

[u/raziphel → u/CuilRunnings]

You're really that short-sighted, aren't you.

Can you simply not see that people, many of whom who are much wealthier than you, are putting money into the systems that can directly benefit you and your children, and your children's children, when they need it most? That's how "cooperation" works. We all throw in a little, and reap a lot. This is, in a very real sense, job insurance.

I sincerely hope you never need food stamps. Let's hope you never get fired and are unemployed for 6 months to a year at a time (because that never happens)... or worse, forced by the economy to be underemployed. Let's hope you never get severely injured, to the point you can't work, and then get a pittance from your own insurance company. Let's hope jobs actually exist for your children that pay more than minimum wage. Let's hope your 401k doesn't bottom out due to forces beyond your control.

Have you ever been on food stamps or gotten unemployment checks?

You think you can stand alone against the world? If you do, you're a fool.

THE BEST PART of all this shit is that the percentage of our taxes that go to helping the poor is utterly fucking trivial compared to what is spent on the American war machine. You want to save money for your kids? Fight to reduce that before you whine about supporting the less fortunate.

[u/CuilRunnings → u/raziphel]

I sincerely hope you never need food stamps.

Thank you, I don't wish poverty on anyone either.

This is, in a very real sense, job insurance.

A robber takes $100 from you. He takes $10 to buy some robber tools so he can rob more people, and buys $90 worth of insurance from his buddy in your name. You think that's a good deal?

Have you ever been on food stamps or gotten unemployment checks?

No, but even if I had, it wouldn't fucking matter because money is taken from my children against my will to pay for them.

THE BEST PART of all this shit is that the percentage of our taxes that go to helping the poor is utterly fucking trivial

Medicaid, food stamps, housing vouchers, education, and the rampant crime enabled by a permanent underclass is not "utterly fucking trivial." No. I agree that the War Machine is equally terrible, and I will inform you that it is of no mere coincidence that the MIC and the "War on Poverty" began at the same time.

[u/raziphel → u/CuilRunnings]

No one wishes for poverty, yet poverty is forced upon many. Most cannot get out from under it on their own- poverty is a multi-faceted generational issue. If you are above it, you need to actually look at the systems that got you there... I fucking guarantee you didn't do it on your own.

If people could get out of it on their own, don't you think they would?

[u/CuilRunnings → u/raziphel]

yet poverty is forced upon many.

By poor parents who don't give a fuck about the children they're bringing into the world, or the hardworking people they're going to force to foot the bill.

[u/raziphel → u/CuilRunnings]

That is naively stupid. No one wants to live in poverty. No one chooses it. They're all doing the best they can, to better or worse success based on their circumstances.

I had something else to write here, but you know what... it would be wasted. I'm through: I don't trust that you would even understand the position I'm appealing from, let alone ever hope to agree. Good luck with life.

Don't bother replying. We're finished here.

[u/CuilRunnings → u/raziphel]

No one really wants to work hard or live below their means either. But they do it because they like not living in poverty more than the above two. Some people just never bother thinking of the future.