The conservative attitude toward Social Security has a long and distinguished history:
In 1818 Ricardo (1951-1973; 7: 359-60) refused to send James Mill a donation for the Westminster Infant School because the children were to be given some dinner:
"If it is part of the establishment ... to feed as well as to take care of and educate the children of three years of age, and upwards, belonging to the poor, I see the most serious objections to the plan, and I should be exceedingly inconsistent if I gave my countenance to it. I have invariably objected to the poor laws, and to every system which should give encouragement to excess of population. If you are to feed, clothe, and educate all the children of the poor, you will be giving a great stimulus to a principle already too active."
--
Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University michael at ecst.csuchico.edu Chico, CA 95929 530-898-5321 fax 530-898-5901
