coeus asked: Sometimes, when I have conversations with socialists (we call them "New Democrats" in Canada), I have no idea how to counter arguments like: But what do we do about the poor and marginalized? Cutting government spending only ensures that the poor and marginalized in society become more poor and marginalized. Then the elites can grab power and exploit the poor and marginalized. We need a balance, we need more government programs.
This has been an ongoing problem that I've found being on the Libertarian side of things in a very socialist country. I may just shake your magic 8-ball again for advice at some point =P
The “we must save the poor and marginalized one” is certainly a sympathetic one, I must admit. However, it’s also based on a completely false premise: that government helps the poor and marginalized.
In fact, I completed my honors thesis on this very subject of public vs. private charity, and I can tell you that the academic literature on the subject of private charity and comparable public programs is generally in agreement: Private organizations are more efficient and/or effective in their work.
Why?
