It’s a fine balance, but I think there are aspects where we have it wrong. I believe it’s a basic human right to have food and shelter.
I would prefer to support a welfare system that provides a financial safety net for people who lose their job for a period of time, perhaps 12 months. But I would like to see long term welfare people housed in dormitories, given free public transport and with an onsite cafeteria that provides healthy food for free.
I really struggle with the concept that “welfare” is providing people with free car registration, all speeding fines paid by the state, and a relatively high welfare check. The system (here at least) is skewed and it’s actually better to not work than to have a menial labour job as you earn less. Our menial labour is being done by visa holders who can’t access public services, or the few that have the desire to work.
It’s not all that abstract for me. I work a good job and am on a decent salary that places me in the top 5-10%. But after bills, mortgage and insurance etc I have less disposable income than my 25 year old son and his girlfriend where the subsidies all add up along with their welfare checks.