there are solutions that have worked in the past. the problem is the US center-right doesn't like them because they can be abused, and it's far worse for one person in a million to have something given to them that they don't deserve than for a million people to be helped.
There are serious problems with welfare programs. They’ve been the downfall of entire countries. Look at Argentina where the bloated government payroll can be viewed as a sort of work for welfare program. The country can’t afford it and its currency blows up on a regular basis as a result.
That’s not saying you should have no welfare programs, but there’s a balance to be maintained. Probably it should be time limited so people are given a sort of “financial rehab”, but not disincentivized to work. And it shouldn’t stop if you get a job, why, just why would you want an incentive against that.
Some people seem to think there can be consumption without production or life without work, but that’s logically incoherent.
Anyone who wants to live in a better society, who realises this policy would help achieve that.
> Why would those people want to work if they can just freeload?
Because most people want more than just the absolute necessities of life.
You'd be surprised.
What does the US center-right have to do with Portugal?