Politicians, the Elite and Social Engineers, Part 2

After reading Part 1, I imagine many of you were thinking "Sounds great John, but find a way to pay for it all."  It's a question that's been thrown at Obama during his entire campaign and he never had a satisfactory answer, in my opinion.

I like the saying "how can we afford it?  How can we afford to *not* do it?"  In the U.S. we don't seem to have a shortage of human resources, just misdirected.  By misdirected, I mean that people are practically being rewarded by being on unemployment, welfare and in prison.  I realize that many of you think I'm crazy by saying prison, but I've heard plenty of stories of people doing things to get themselves back into prison because it is easier than being outside.  At least there, they get fed, clothed and sheltered.  I mean, have you seen how many homeless are sleeping in illegal places in Seattle?  Heck, if they get arrested, the worst that will happen to them is that they get fed, clothed and sheltered for a night or two for trespassing.

So, how do we remedy this?  Convince our legislature to re-direct unemployment, welfare and prison funds to creating jobs.  This can be done in many ways.  One can be by opening government jobs.  One can be by offering more contracts for contractors.  One can be by providing more small-business loans.  These jobs, however, would have to provide better take-home pay then unemployment or welfare.  Some jobs would be created just in the process of administering the programs.

I realize this sounds like bigger government, but it's really just redirection of funds and energy.  Heck, reducing unemployment, welfare and prisons would mean that people would have to be laid-off from the jobs that support those programs!  Or, the prison guards could be redirected as police and supervisors of those that get the jobs that the would-be prisoners would get; for instance.

On a similar subject, I feel the need to support our bus systems.  Here in Washington State, the buses are losing funding due to the drop in local purchasing (sales tax revenues).  There was a proposal to create an income tax, but that was killed.  King County instituted a $20 car-tab hike to make up the difference, but Snohomish County couldn't make the same happen.  I think people fail to recognize the value of buses, even if they do not ride them.  If there are fewer buses, there will be:
- more illegal and underage drivers on the road,
- more road and gas-station congestion,
- more bicyclists,
- more smog,
- higher gas prices due to higher demand.
Even if I weren't a regular rider, I would definitely pay the $20.  I would pay more for the bus, but higher bus rates may deter riders as well.  If it's cheaper to ride the bus, more people will ride them.