I'm set to get a degree from one of the world's most prestigious universities. My ambition is to do a PhD, go into research and someday win a Nobel Prize.
Now, I won't be poor, but the salary of an academic pales in comparison to that I could get in other careers. Would you say that makes me lazy and unambitious?
@amischiefr said:
why should I get a job when the government will continue to hand me free money?
Well the government oughtn't to be doing that. Unless they have a legitimate reason (illness, parenthood, whatever), they should be in work or study. I don't know about the US but in the UK if you're claiming "Jobseeker's Allowance" (which is a pittance anyway) then you have to show you're looking for work, and take jobs offered to you. (Though they can't really stop you deliberately fluffing interviews or getting sacked) If you're on other benefits it's for the aforementioned reasons.
It's those who are in work, but not earning much, who should not have to pay half their money in taxes - and are thus subsidised by the rich.