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People don't not work because they're lazy. They don't work because jobs that would allow them to do something worthwhile and fulfilling while allowing them to be a whole person with a complex life and needs beyond work don't exist.
I thought it was interesting when Matt Wolf trotted out the argument that most people on AISH probably could work, to some extent. He's right! But forcing them to scramble to survive by slashing benefits is going to hurt and kill people.
In reality, pretty much everyone can work and wants to work. We all have a basic need to contribute to our families and communities. It feels good and keeps us from feeling isolated and unfulfilled. But our society is hostile to many forms of work.
Jobs that are part time, flexible hours, and accommodating are hard to come by, and often lack the benefits of full time employment, such as extended health care, most needed by people who are chronically ill, or disabled, or are caretakers to children...
...ie, the people most likely to have difficulties with a regular, full-time schedule. So while the far-right and I agree on this one thing: that everyone can work, and we shouldn't set up systems that discourage them from doing so...
I strongly believe the solution is for society to ensure everyone's basic needs are met, so that they have the freedom (real freedom!) to figure out how and where they can best contribute to the overall good, without worrying about losing their safety net.
This is a luxury enjoyed by the wealthy already, by the way. It's why people born into wealth, no matter their personal strengths or lack thereof, are able to build their own businesses and fortunes with such ease. Not because they're better or have more merit...
...but because they never had to worry about meeting their basic needs, so they could think bigger and do great things. But to someone who grew up in poverty, even something like attending university can be an impossible financial hurdle, barring them from jobs that would
actually be "easier" (once the appropriate skills are acquired), and more accommodating and accessible, than a typical minimum wage job. So yes, Matt, we should absolutely encourage people to work and not force them to stop in order to receive benefits. Replace AISH with UBI.
