25 of the Greatest Quotes on Economics and Capitalism (That You've Probably Never Heard) | Jon...

The ultimate problem is that a great many will live in willful ignorance because to gain understanding then they would have to develop a dislike for themselves - myself

There is no free lunch. SOMEONE has to pay for that lunch, either directly or indirectly. Many times it indirectly becomes YOU that is paying for the 'free lunch' you are getting. If it is not you, then it is someone you likely know - your neighbor, your friend, or (more likely) your children.

Nobody of a moral character would willing look at their neighbor, friend or children and say, "I deserve to get more at your expense" (well, maybe if they don't like their neighbor they will...).

When 'nobody' pays for it, then 'everybody' pays for it .. just a little bit at a time (inflation, generational levies on income, etc). In this case, a great many people don't (including those 'moral individuals') care if 'everyone' pays for it (including themselves) as long as they get more than what they are paying (or, for many, as long as they get more than the other one does).

I will acknowledge that I'm a pragmatist (some would say hypocrite) in regards to this. When the government is handing out 'free money' at the expense of many, I'll hold my hand out as well. I will be the first to say that such a handout shouldn't occur because the government usually uses it to 'reward' a certain group, but to not do so is quite frankly, stupid. I'm not saying 'cheat' or do some other immoral act to become eligible. I'm saying that if you are eligible than you're NOT participating will have absolutely no impact.

Sure, if you could get a great many others to participate THEN there would be some type of impact ... somewhere. But to not hold your hand out for the 'free money' just has you leaving money on the counter at the detriment to your self and family (for instance, the 'under legal review by the Supreme Court' student loan handout. I'm in front of the line decrying it as promoting irresponsibility, completely unfair - especially the two-thirds of Americans without a degree, etc. ... however if I was eligible and it passes the 'constitutional sniff test' by the Supreme Court, I would be doing nothing except hurting myself by not applying for it).

As Bastiat said, “Everyone wants to live at the expense of the state. They forget that the state lives at the expense of everyone.”

#3 is my favorite. It goes to the heart of some of what is going on today

I wonder if it's too late for our governor to get a regular job so he will see how unpopular his tax proposals really are.