by Elena1012 » Thu Jun 13, 2024 4:13 pm
Cutting the Empathy Deficit; Welfare reforms to come to millions of Xsampans.
July 8th, 5498
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All across the world (except the luxurious state of Narikaton and Darnussia, among others), welfare is a critical aspect of society, necessary for any growing society to ensure the lowest amongst them are helped. To ensure those who slip through the cracks of society that so often plague it are given a soft landing and the needed support to thrive once more. Yet in Xsampa, there is no other struggle then being amongst those at the lowest of low. Comrade Gerung has looked to change this. As it stands, Xsampan welfare is woefully ineffective and hardly effective in helping Xsampans get out of poverty. This cannot be allowed to continue.
To that end, the entire system must be reworked. First, what is covered by welfare? There are several aspects of welfare that can be covered by welfare but ultimately it goes down to these; Disability Benefits, Unemployment Benefits, Pensions, Minimum Basic Income, Food Stamps, Housing Support, Child Support and the controversial Universal Basic Income.
Disability Benefits are self-explanatory, benefits for those who are physically, mentally and intellectually disabled. This is to ensure those who struggle, whether it be from accidents crippling them or those with mental challenges are able to thrive in society and not be left behind. To qualify, family members of a disabled citizen or the citizen themselves simply need to register with the People's Committee of Human Development and upon finishing that are fully entitled to disability benefits. Due to the nature of those with severe mental disabilities, the allocated funds to welfare is significantly increased due to inability to properly work. Whatever the case, for Disability Benefits, these last a lifetime and shall be high enough to ensure a comfortable life for those who have struggled. Never must the disabled be left to get in the streets for scraps. Never in Xsampa shall we allow that tragedy to happen.
Unemployment Benefits are as the name says. Benefits to the unemployed to ensure they survive. While it seems counterintuitive with the Xsampan Job Corps, it is necessary for any high functioning society. These benefits shall not be as large as the Disability Benefits due to the existence of the Xsampan Job Corp but enough to ensure housing can be paid off (State Housing may be incredibly cheap but the unemployed may struggle to pay). Ultimately it is to act as a crutch for those in need of a job or in this case, awaiting approval for the XJC.
Public Pensions are arguably the most important aspect of welfare. With the professional retirement age at 60, this would leave many with adequate time to save up but how can one plant a tree if they have no seeds? To that end, the state will intervene and help. A portion of a workers paycheck will be allocated to this pension, which will be available upon retirement, and this will ensure that everyone is guaranteed a comfortable retirement of sorts. This will ensure old age poverty is given a major blow to ensure those who have toiled for the nation are properly repayed by the nation.
Food is the most important thing in life. Without it, you simply die. Hunger and starvation cannot be allowed to stay in Xsampa. To that end, food stamps. By directly subsidizing the cost of food (that is, healthy food), it can be ensured that starvation is cut down drastically. To the point of being incredibly cheap, this will only be available to those with low to no incomes to ensure the state doesn't outright bankrupt itself on food stamps.
Housing Support remains one aspect of Xsampan Welfare that does not need to be changed. Comrade Ladakh was the one who spearheaded Public State Housing in the South and as such, not much needs to be changed there. With low rent, somewhat comfortable living and easy qualifications, this will ensure every Xsampan has a roof over their heads until they can stand on their own feet and thrive on their own.
Child Support is something vital as well. After all, it is the youth which lead the next generation and without them, a nation fundamentally dies. To that end, the state must supports struggling parents. Depending on the amount of children one has, the state will directly pay the legal guardian(s) of those children a sum of money every month to ensure all necessities needed to raise a child healthily are met. Furthermore, should these not be enough, state runner daycares and youth centres will be available to ensure that the guardian(s) can work whilst the children are given care. This will ensure parents and those who adopt children aren't punished for simply starting a family.
The last aspect is rather controversial. A Minimum Basic Income and the Universal Basic Income. With the MBI being a minimum guarantee of income no matter what to every citizen not supported by another. While this has received support, it can be argued it's just an extension of the Unemployed Benefit. The Supreme Council will certainly continue to debate this one. However, the controversy raised here is minute compared to the controversy over the Universal Basic Income. A guaranteed income, no matter what, to every citizen. Something truly utopian. However, let it be known that the concept of a UBI is not opposed due to the eventually of transitioning to Metzism. However, the issue lay in its cost. Most of the welfare reforms can be paid with support from the REPAIR Fund however it is recognized that a UBI would simply be far too expensive for the nation to maintain on its own. So most likely, the Supreme Council is to shoot down the idea of a UBI until Xsampa is properly capable of paying for it.
Regardless, these welfare reforms will help millions of Xsampans and the People's Committee of Human Development will be hard at work ensuring families across Xsampa thrive. The War on Inequality rages on and welfare is but another weapon of the proletariat to fight poverty. Soon, we shall reach that Eternal Golden Future but the journey there involves ending poverty. With welfare reforms underway, Comrade Gerung can continue the next aspects of the Great Leap Forward.
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Glory to the Xsampan Revolution! Glory to the Xsampan Proletariat!
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