I think we pretty much agree on the issues, but maybe not completely on the responsibility.
There needs to be some level of accountability for people who "live paycheck to paycheck". Thats not a healthy lifesyste. If thats the case for 15million people, those people situations need to change. There are tons of people living within their means but without an amazing lifestyle. This is because they make hard choices. People need a lifestyle for which they can save for. They need to be able to save 3-6 months of income. If they cant save like that if they cant figure out how to prepare, we have a problem.
I say all this because I do not believe it is the govt responsibility to be the life-jacket for every person in the country who is living beyond their means. Specifically, if folks cant make it 1-2 months without a job and only unemployment benefits, they need to change their lifestyle and not ask for more money from the govt. First, its not fair to the rest of the tax payers, secondly, its a real burden to the folks who really do need the help.
People need to figure out how to live within their means. If they cant, there needs to be accountability when situations like this happen. Its not as simple as "give me more pie".
Thanks for the conversation.