> if you support the welfare state, mistakes like this should bother you more, not less.
Why? I support social programs, I accept some inefficiencies and waste.
In general I think small waste is not worth the energy to be concerned about if the benefit is huge.
That said, I think means testing is a waste of everyone's time. Just provide the benefits to everyone -- it simplifies the process of providing the benefit.
Because, as I said in my original post, "[shoddiness, etc] represents the best objections to the welfare state".
In other words, blithe dismissals like "I accept some inefficienies and waste" provide the other side with the best possible ammunition against the idea of a welfare state.
It's laughable to see the number of people here who, straight-faced, say nonsense like "Nitpicking efficiency is for the capitalists".
If you're looking for government waste and inefficiency, you'd be better off looking at military spending. That's where a lot of the low-hanging fruit is.
False. If you support effective government, welfare state or not, learning of this mistake should be considered a sign that they may have hit the right balance between spending on implementation and spending on platinum grade superpowered mistake detectors. One big obstacle to a welfare state is the unhinged obsession with not giving anyone anything they don’t deserve, which leads to idiotic programs that spend more money drug testing applicants than helping them.
> if you support the welfare state, mistakes like this should bother you more, not less.
This doesn't follow at all.
As long as the policies are progressive (in the economic sense) and enough money gets to those who need it, why should small inefficiencies bother me? Nitpicking efficiency is for the capitalists.
Why? I support social programs, I accept some inefficiencies and waste.
In general I think small waste is not worth the energy to be concerned about if the benefit is huge.
That said, I think means testing is a waste of everyone's time. Just provide the benefits to everyone -- it simplifies the process of providing the benefit.