[davidgould]

>reply reads as “let them eat cake”

I don't think that was the parents intent. I read it as descriptive of how the system currently functions, not as justification for it being that way.

I've been thinking about this, how a society can get necessary work done without forcing some people to choose between doing it or starving. Perhaps if everyone was guaranteed to be fed, to be housed, and to have medical care, then the market would find a fair price for collecting garbage or cleaning floors.