The Little Brown Reader

Bush Welfare Marriage Plan Sailing Through Congress

If we're going to take social engineering to this level, why don't we just go whole hog? We could plot out the perfect life, and just reward or penalize everybody based on how close they come to being that model citizen. We're getting fairly close to that anyway, with the drug war, and various penalties and prizes for raising the right kind of family, and so on. Just think of how intricate and controlling it could be if we maxed out the system!

For instance, I'm cooking soybeans right now. Soybeans are healthy and full of protein, so I'd get points for that. But they're from China, and most likely genetically modified, so I'd probably be docked for buying foreign and messing with ecology. Then my point total gets docked overall because I'm single with no children -- which, in the Bush paradigm, means I'm pretty much a defective citizen.

All in all, it would maybe add up to a 5-cent credit for me. The Treasury could credit it right to my bank account as soon as the in-home Big Brother system detected that I was done with my meal. There could even be an audio recognition -- something like, "Way to go, citizen Lance Brown! You're making yourself strong and healthy, which is good for all of us. Keep doing things that are good for society as we see it, and you will be amply rewarded. And by the way, have you thought about getting married?"

(In case you hadn't noticed, I'm not a big fan of social engineering.)

If there's anything lamer than the social engineering aspect of this measure, it's the pathetically lazy Bipartisan manner in which it's wandering it's way into law. Did you know that Bush has not vetoed one bill since he took office?

Bush Welfare Marriage Plan Sailing Through Congress

Thursday, July 17, 2003

WASHINGTON — President Bush's proposal to nudge women on welfare (search) toward the altar is headed for approval in Congress despite opposition from both the political left and right, as Democrats choose other battles to fight in the welfare debate.

Despite the concerns, Republicans are largely in favor of the plan and Democrats are largely resigned to it.

Full story...

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