Kill the Unemployed
I have a good friend, an economics professor and one of the quickest minds I know, who was asked by one of those door to door political activists what he thought would be the most effective way to reduce unemployment. He replied "Kill the unemployed."
And, of course, he's right. This would immediately bring the unemployment rate to zero, and if we continued this as policy, (instantly executing all newly unemployed people) it would keep the unemployment rate at zero. This is a very effective way to reduce unemployment and keep it low.
My friend's point was the same as William Bennett's. Just because a policy is effective at achieving a desirable social goal, that doesn't make it a good policy.
(And my friend didn't add the usual "but of course it would be morally reprehensible." He was perfectly happy to let the political activist think he was a monster.)
And, of course, he's right. This would immediately bring the unemployment rate to zero, and if we continued this as policy, (instantly executing all newly unemployed people) it would keep the unemployment rate at zero. This is a very effective way to reduce unemployment and keep it low.
My friend's point was the same as William Bennett's. Just because a policy is effective at achieving a desirable social goal, that doesn't make it a good policy.
(And my friend didn't add the usual "but of course it would be morally reprehensible." He was perfectly happy to let the political activist think he was a monster.)
posted by Harsh Pencil | 10/01/2005 09:26:00 PM
And just think of the residual increase in jobs that such a policy would have. Executioners, grave diggers, etc. I'd also predict a dramatic growth in the headhunter field, as the unemployed scramble to look for gainful employment.
JAS - always in the lead in groundbreaking public policy discussion.
Bennett's mistake however, was using Blacks as an example rather than culture/poverty. I think all JAS members would agree that the direct link to crime comes out of culture and poverty rather than Race. Thus, despite the intellectual aspect of Bennett's argument, it still comes off as offensive to some. The nastiness by the left on this issue, however, is the selective soundbite - failing to note the context and follow-up comments by Bennett.
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