Bovine contentment

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Tuesday, September 29. 2015

Why is the welfare state under attack when happiness economics shows it is the system most conducive to human wellbeing?

Bread and circuses for the proles? It's a strange article, from my viewpoint, but I understand that Denmark is a tribe of Danskers, all related. Quite alien to America or current American values. Perhaps child-like. I am certain that it was not written satirically. Where does this guy think that things and money come from?

Most hard workers I have known find dignity in work and do not find any work degrading or "commodifying." In fact, it is "getting free stuff" which is degrading and humilating. And what about the ambitious, the self-employed, the farmers, the self-sacrificing, the doers and makers and builders? Where do they fit in? How do you "give" a farmer or a doctor or a plumber or a writer a family leave or a six-week vacation?

I hope Americans do not aspire to bovine contentment, but instead to challenge, difficulty, and self-reliance. The only people happy to live on the dole, as I see it, are sociopaths and moochers taking advantage of their neighbors. OK, some deeply mentally-disturbed or profoundly brain-impaired people without families to care for them.

Posted by The News Junkie in Politics at 12:44 | Comments (11) | Trackbacks (0)

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Dunno NJ.

There seems to be a sizable percentage of the electorate that embraces 'bovine contenment". Why else would we continue to expand the welfare state?

#1 feeblemind on 2015-09-29 13:00 (Reply)

"Here is your state-mandated package of rights and benefits. This has been scientifically calculated by our greatest thinkers to provide a maximum average level of happiness to all citizens. If you still believe you are unhappy, you are mistaken. By no means shall you consider this to be a commodification of your personhood. You will notice we have increased the weekly chocolate ration from 25 to 30 grams per week. Have a nice day, Citizen. Or else."

#2 Aother guy named Dan on 2015-09-29 13:20 (Reply)

What about my Soma ration?

#2.1 Bird Dog on 2015-09-29 13:49 (Reply)

A commodified world is one in which the vast majority of the population is dependent for their economic survival on the sale of their labour power as a commodity in the form of wage or salary work. In other words, to survive, people must sell their ability to work in the same kind of market that exists for any other commodity.

when was this not so? if a worker in a isn't selling labor for wages, he's a serf or a share cropper trading it for a plot of land. the problem with morons like the author is the same problem with the warmal coldists, you can never pin them down to a specific golden age when everything was perfect.

if you identify as being a cubicle drone, the problem isn't working for a living, the problem is you.

#3 Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz on 2015-09-29 14:13 (Reply)

Being forced to give up a portion of ones earnings to benefit other(s) is the definition of slavery (even if it is only my definition). The beneficiaries (of the forced taking of someones money (traded fairly for labor)) by default, become slave owners.

This is a reference to benefit users (supported by the force of government). I am not opposed to helping people in need temporarily. The bar is kind of low, I suspect.

The author assumes there is a right to happiness. I disagree. If you want it, go and get it.
Better yet, why not just take the "happy" from the "happy rich".

#4 I.......... on 2015-09-29 14:52 (Reply)

you're right. it's your definition only.

so how does it feel to be a slave owner?

#4.1 Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz on 2015-09-29 18:23 (Reply)

A welfare state, if the 'state' is comprised of a culturally homogeneous population, can indeed be 'happy'. If I know, for instance, that my neighbors and I have the same work ethic, then I will certainly feel far more 'liberal' about sharing my worked-for wealth with these neighbors. If a neighbor is a well-known lay-about, not so much. If that neighbor openly despises me, not at all.

I think that these studies that are touted in this childish article, ought to be revisited two years from now in the European nations, the obvious source of the 'data'. This will be after the floods of 'diversity' checkmarks are affixed to the public breast. I wonder how Germans will feel about it then? It is a rich country, but to see their wealth squandered may prove too much for them.

I believe that Norway is showing signs of moving to the right with respect to immigration. Never was such a welfare state, except, perhaps Sweden. Sweden, too, is showing strain.

An offering hand, once bitten, will be withdrawn and probably not offered again. That is, unless compelled to do so by our Betters.

#5 The Captain on 2015-09-29 15:40 (Reply)

Precisely. All modern nations are hybrid free-market/socialist, but the percentage varies. In homogeneous nations, you can get a lot more support for redistributing to others, as they are seen as much like oneself, just having hit some bad luck.

Also, socialism is much easier after you've just exported the poorest 25% of your population to the New World, as European nations did. Not paying for your own defense helps, too.

America has tried something new, defining "us-ness" by creed and boundary, which is much harder than defining it by blood. That we (and Canada, Australia, New Zealand) have not fully succeeded is lamentable. Until you compare us to everyone else. Western Europe is not doing so well at integrating all these people who don't look like second-cousins, and they don't have anywhere near the diversity of appearance that America does. If one compares apples to apples, we have taken generosity to unprecedented levels, however much we are criticised by those who have not even attempted the feat.

Son #4, a Romanian-American living in Norway, could give you an earful.

#5.1 Assistant Village Idiot (Link) on 2015-09-29 15:55 (Reply)

There are two effective Socialisms: a family and tribe, and a feudal system enforced with arms.

#6 Bird Dog on 2015-09-29 18:26 (Reply)

And that barbed wire is electrified.

#7 Bird Dog on 2015-09-29 19:04 (Reply)

I've worked, and I've not-worked, in my life.

I'm a LOT happier when I'm working. I need to feel like I am making a contribution and my work allows me that. Actually, it's something more than simple "happiness," it's more, a feeling of having value.

There's also a sort of joy in knowing you are paying your bills yourself. I have no debt and I am tremendously proud (and happy) in that fact. I work hard and I make a decent living but I am also frugal.

#8 ricki on 2015-09-29 19:26 (Reply)

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Tuesday, September 29. 2015

Bovine contentment