Anti-Capitalist Sentiment (with some morality)

[MadMojoMonkey]

The problem with your (MMM) anecdote about benefiting from the welfare state is that it presupposes an identical universe except with you not having the unemployment benefits. In a world where the state doesn't take 40% of the shit, you would probably have had a much easier time finding work, and would have had a much lower cost of living to cover in the meantime.

Dude, it's purely anecdotal. It only serves to explain why I think the benefits of this particular service are good.
It's not an argument for anything but why my POV is what it is (right now).

The %-age of money isn't important to either of us. What's important to both of us is that the money is well-spent. We agree that the money is not being particularly well-spent.

***
Probably...? :/
You're gonna need a distribution function to go along with that probability to sway me.

By the way, when you were working you paid a 6% unemployment tax.

Yes. I read the forms which I signed when I was hired. It's like a super power of mine.

Yeah that's good for a chuckle.[...]

I don't know how this relates to the current discussion, or that anyone disagrees with that point.
Am I missing something?

Anyway there's nothing to stop you from buying your own unemployment insurance from the private sector, and if you have a decent job it will probably be highly competitive with the 6% rate you were already paying.

Right. And?

People should do this if they want the service, right? But people don't do this. That's the reality. If private agencies and/or charities can provide the same or comparable service, then by all means... let them. However, if they don't, then having a short-term safety net for everyone is OK with me. Obv. I want it to be not corrupt, if possible, please.

[Renton]

Probably...? :/
You're gonna need a distribution function to go along with that probability to sway me.

Let's just say that I am highly confident that the unemployment rate and median income would be dramatically improved if the state wasn't squandering so much of our resources. I don't know the exact probability, but it's safe to say that there would be many fewer people in your predicament.

I don't know how this relates to the current discussion, or that anyone disagrees with that point.
Am I missing something?

Most people in support of this tax would disagree. They enact this employer-side taxation, along with other taxes like the social security tax (another 6%) and the corporate tax because they believe the money just comes out of the profits. It takes this kind of "money from nothing" belief to support a majority of taxation and economic policy.

People should do this if they want the service, right? But people don't do this. That's the reality. If private agencies and/or charities can provide the same or comparable service, then by all means... let them. However, if they don't, then having a short-term safety net for everyone is OK with me. Obv. I want it to be not corrupt, if possible, please.

Yes, you think everyone should be made to overpay for a service whether they want it or not. You believe they are incapable of making the correct call. I guess I'm a little more optimistic about people.

[MadMojoMonkey]

Let's just say that I am highly confident that [...]

I'm not questioning your confidence. I just want to see the data that led you to this confidence, so I can judge for myself.

Most people in support of this tax would disagree.

What have I said that led you to think that I would agree with them?
OR
What does their opinion elucidate about my opinion?

I feel like you're attributing ideas to me based on stereotypes and not based on what I've said.
Case in point:

Yes, you think everyone should be made to overpay for a service whether they want it or not.

What I said is that I like the service. I want the service provided efficiently.
Not for nothing, but it seems like you're trying to rattle me by putting the word "overpay" in there. I doubt you believe that is the language I would use to describe my position.

You believe they are incapable of making the correct call. I guess I'm a little more optimistic about people.

Am I supposed to feel bad for being a bit cynical about people acting for their own long-term benefit?
:/
This is one of those things that I would buckle on if asked to provide data, so feel free to call me out on that. However, look around. With the tiniest preparation, most people could solve or avoid their own biggest problems. Yet they don't.

One the one hand, serves them right for failure to plan ahead. On the other hand, no one can foresee all the challenges that will crop up. I don't believe the system should ignore this human problem, nor should it cater to it. It needs to be a balance.

***
This discussion is so emotionally loaded.
I guess with the word sentiment in the thread's title, I should expect as much.