Posts by kmont

Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 Older→ First

  • Hard News: Feckless Solutions,

    Disincentivise step-parenthood??????
    Good luck with that, I really doubt that would be less complex and give quicker results than trying to undo a "culture of violence".
    I take it that the DPB is your particular hobby horse but you are still not stating what you think should be done.
    Most of the practical suggestions on this thread seem to point to more Plunket nurses and the such like, not simply increasing benifit, let alone doubling it. It seems that your unstated arguement is that women are having children to get money from the state. If that is your arguement please state it directly.

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 485 posts Report

  • Speaker: Seven Good Reasons,

    Good times.

    I hope the human.org site grows into a fertile and fabulous place.

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 485 posts Report

  • Hard News: Feckless Solutions,

    Daniel,

    I am home from work now before rushing off....

    Ask yourself: which is the easier place to start:
    1) examining and potentially correcting a particular policy, which may through poor design be contributing to the problem it is supposed to solve, or
    2) trying to redesign a culture or society

    I think it is important to offer practical suggestions rather than vaguely-well-meaning-but-practically-useless suggestions, and I do think it is important to look at the design of particular policies. Absolutely.
    I just wanted to see where you stood and if you had any concrete suggestions.
    As far as incentives pointing the right way goes, I agree but from a different angle. It is the doubling that makes this artifical and simplistic. If a woman wants to re-enter the workforce after being on the DPB the system needs to be carefully designed so that it is practical and worthwhile financially for her to do so. There needs to be support for people to train and lift themselves out of poverty and be able to take care of their kids. Break the cycle. It's not just about solo parents and it sure and hell is not just about those on benefits. But if you are going to do thought experiements, I would try to bring them more in line with the real world. Just my opinion and it is hard to gauge in online conversation what people really mean.

    Stephen

    I agree it could be argued lots of ways what the effect would be but it is the wider nuanced discussions and practical suggestions that hopefully will help because I think that's ultimately what everyone wants, some improvement in our society.

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 485 posts Report

  • Hard News: Feckless Solutions,

    <quote>I think free, universal childcare from when a baby is born would be a start.
    It would mean that kids get to spend some time a day in a caring environment. It would remove stress and hassle for families who find it hard to get childcare in order to work (or not work). Plus, kids would be monitored, and if any alarm bells ring, the daycare staff can talk to the parents or carers, or contact authorities./quote>

    That is a good practical suggestion I think.

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 485 posts Report

  • Hard News: Feckless Solutions,

    I don't find that thought experiment useful because it is too artificial. Although I can see what he is getting at and it is always good to give all kinds of ideas a good airing.

    Addressing poverty as one of the factors in child abuse is very relevant and useful, but issues surrounding the DPB are more complex and nuanced than could be explored in this kind of simplistic thought experiment.

    I am not trying to overly critical of the poster, I was just curious about why he proposed this thought experiment and what he actually thought.

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 485 posts Report

  • Hard News: Feckless Solutions,

    As a result I don't have the economic terms at my fingertips to say what I want to say......

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 485 posts Report

  • Hard News: Feckless Solutions,

    I do know what a thought experiment is, I have a philosophy degree ; )

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 485 posts Report

  • Hard News: Feckless Solutions,

    Why are you proposing such a thought experiment?

    The issues are bit wider I would have thought. It is an artificial kind of thought experiment because it would never happen. Well not in isolation.

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 485 posts Report

  • Hard News: Feckless Solutions,

    Mikaere, I would like to echo Russell's sentiments.
    Thank you for commenting.

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 485 posts Report

  • Hard News: Some things you may not know,

    Beautiful

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 485 posts Report

Last ←Newer Page 1 43 44 45 46 47 49 Older→ First