“GDP growth isn’t a good in and of itself,” he says. “The question here is what’s going to create the most happiness for the greatest numbers of people. Being in a situation where people have to work full time or 40 hours a week at a job that may not be the best match for them because that is the only way to get health insurance is not the way you create the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.”
I’ve been out of work for extended periods. I don’t recall that not knowing where my next meal was coming from did a helluva lot to enhance my overall happiness. But maybe I’m weird.
It’s all very simple when you remember who defines “happiness” and “good.” Our mundane opinion is certainly unimportant and uncalled for. Our owners/nannies/protectors know exactly what is “good for us” and they’ll see to it we get it… if it kills us.
This is just hamster-dance rationalization for having implemented an economy-imploding piece of legislation.
Because OF COURSE people will be happier if they don’t HAVE to work because they lost their job. And OF COURSE that wasn’t their decision to make, but rather, the government’s to make FOR THEM.
All those idiots going to work every day. Stupid f$%ks. If only they knew the awesome benefits of being unemployed, and being forced to have a healthcare plan that they can’t afford to pay for anymore because they don’t have work, and being put in jail for not having a health plan that you can’t afford anymore…
I can’t even imagine how these folks sleep at night, until i see things like this. They’ve got themselves well and truly convinced that they can do no wrong. Cause a bunch of people o lose their jobs? Eh, we did them a favor!
I’m a little mixed on this one. I can see where the UNDER EMPLOYED would be hurt by this, the people squeaking by on minimum wage. The people who’s budget dilemma is ‘Do I pay the bills or eat ?’ For them, getting hours cut would really suck.
But the folks making well above that (say $80 grand and above), the people who have a comfortable life already AND have their stuff payed for – they can afford to take some time off. Why work your ass off all your life and die with a fat bank account ? Taking some time off could be awesome. Travel if you like or develop a hobby that you couldn’t before because the 60 hour work week didn’t allow it.
If you work those hours is because you HAVE too (mortgage and car payments, etc.), maybe selling those assets in exchange for something less expensive would be a blessing. Selling off crap you don’t use anyway can free up clutter.
What I don’t like is being FORCED into that position, which is what I’m reading into above.
Isn’t this a permission slip for the coming generation to major in Art History?