“Working families”: A very special interest

‘In the 22 June issue of the Wall Street Journal, Vice President Al Gore was quoted as saying, “Social Security-minus doesn’t work very well for working families.” Insofar as political statements go, this one was relatively unremarkable; indeed, it almost seems rather innocuous. Almost any politician could have uttered a similar statement, even a conservative Republican.

The issue here is not so much Social Security Reform. The issue is the sacred cow of “working families”–an appeal made by practically all American politicians. (The Republicans, in particular, wrap themselves around the “family values” shroud.)

But what is so special about the working family? Do they actually contribute more to society? I seriously doubt it. In fact, I suspect the homosexual community probably contributes more to society than individual families.

After all, most American families benefit from massive government subsidies. Public education alone consumes substantial government resources. The Family Medical Leave Act is another “working family” benefit. We can be sure of many other such benefits. Take family military compensation, for example.

Make no mistake, the American “working family” is on government welfare. They get more tax exemptions and are eligible for all sorts of government programs, including free child safety seats.

By sharp contrast, what government subsidies do single or homosexual individuals receive? If anything, homosexuals, on average, probably make more money than the average citizen. And although they pay their taxes, they receive very little in the way of government subsidies.

Don’t mistake my motives. I am not promoting gay rights–just simple fairness. Why should the “working family” be entitled to special consideration? Why should single citizens pay for government-mandated family benefits?

Should single people unite and clamor for more government benefits? No, this would only exacerbate the problems.

The ideal solution has to be the removal of all such special interests. No group should get special benefits at the expense of other groups–not even the politically popular American “working family.”

The Democrats and others may be galvanized by the issue of campaign finance reform. But they should also consider the American working family–a very special interest group. They may not contribute much in the way of campaign contributions, but they certainly command a considerable amount of crucial votes.

Single people of the world–unite against family welfare!