My thoughts on a myLot post regarding a Libertarian view of disability services

@cripfemme (7698)
United States
August 28, 2008 7:44pm CST
Masternote, a new myLotter, he or she just joined us about a week ago posted an interesting discussion on whether or not there was any choice between presidential candidates. I told him/her that I believed there was because Obama is much better than McCain on disability services as well as the environment and other matters. To the best of my knowledge, Masternote doesn't believe in government funding of anything except the army, infrastructure of the nation, and I suppose international affairs. However, I can't be really sure as I have not known this person for a long time and no one here does as they just joined. They told me they understood why I was voting for Obama but that in their opinion people should give me money or volunteer for me so I could have services. In what followed, which became a multi-post discussion, I told them that their proposal was ideal but impractical. In fact, I really wish we lived in a world where people would voluntarily donate money to me so I could get the services I need. I really wish that people would just decide to volunteer to work for me instead of the state paying them, but I don't think this can happen. Granted, that's the ideal. Everyone giving up something to help someone else. In my case, this system has worked previously when I've had an emergency for several weeks. It was some kind of state funding issue, but it got all straightened out. However, what do you do with someone who doesn't have the support network that I have? Are they just supposed to suffer and die because they don't have friends? Granted, I feel like because I get services I am required to be a public good citizen. I vote, I have three jobs, I volunteer, and I work on social justice issues. Having services helps me to do all these things. In fact, I wouldn't be able to do anything (let alone get out of bed) without it. How does Masternote propose to establish a system whereby every disabled person gets what they need? Masternote's ideal is to have those with the available resources to donate money to people with disabilities which they would then use to privately fund their own services. Thus, eliminating government intervention. Is he going to mandate that people stop being greedy suddenly and decide (which they should because they have a million dollars, I agree) to surrender part of that money to support that system. I don't think human nature works this way. Of course, people in the person's neighborhood would still be expected to donate a few hours a week to helping them without money and I thankfully have friends who would do this for me if I need them to. I also try to look out for my neighbors as I would expect everyone to. As far as idealism goes, I agree with Masternote in that we all should contribute however we can to making sure that human needs get met. Sometimes this is by our own hand and sometimes this is with our tax dollars. I wish that we live in the world that would allow people to function as full time volunteers who did not require pay, but what are they going to eat? Where are they going to live?
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1 response
@xfahctor (14113)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
29 Aug 08
Well, I have to admit, I believe in very minimal federal control or funding of much of anything. I'm not saying I believe in letting people out to dry, but there are a great many things the federal government was never meant to be involved in. Many things are in fact more easily and effectively dealt with at the state and loca level and for many reasons, too many to name here. "A government big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take everything you have" Thomas Jefferson
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
29 Aug 08
But the lack of a federal program, in my cases and the case of many disabled people across the nation, means that we can't live where we choose (in my case home in Pennsylvania, near, but not with, my family). If we have a nationalized program my services will follow me wherever I choose to live. That freedom is very American in my opinion.
@xfahctor (14113)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
29 Aug 08
cripfemme, these things however are far easier to change at the state and local level. It is far easier to change your states laws and policies than those of an entire nation of 50 states. We palce so much in the hands of the federal governmen than complain when they don't deliver, when all the while the power for change lays with in our own front yards. this is the idea behind a federation. It is a lot easier to fix individual parts than to try an overhaul a whole engine.