Theft at the Public Till
Others would not. But even if some of the homeless refused such an offer, that would not be an argument against making it. There are some obvious steps to be taken now -- all of which can be funded by dismantling the service bureaucracy. • Rehabilitate dilapidated housing where it makes sense; build new housing where reason dictates. • Restore welfare benefits to their previous levels, or, better yet, give people without paying jobs the same benefit of the doubt accorded to people on social security and the same benefit levels. Restore the value of the minimum wage. Better yet, institute a guaran- teed income. • Create meaningful public sector jobs in return for benefits. There is always a street or lot to be cleaned, kids to be watched, food to be prepared, etc. These jobs can both bolster the self esteem of those receiving benefits (and they do no not need to be forty hour per week jobs, ten or fifteen hours will work fine) and raise the quality of life of all the rest of us. Offer workers who perform unusually well a chance at better public-sector jobs with somewhat higher wages. With luck, these jobs could serve as gateways to steady employment in the private sector, by certifying a worker's diligence. • Make certain the checks or other means of payment come in regu- larly and safely for everyone. • Reduce red tape to an absolute minimum. Guarantee productive choice as much as reproductive choice, so that women can enter and leave the wage market as they determine. Use every means available to lift the self-esteem of parents, especially mothers. Make sure the kids hear it. • Put back police and firefighting services. Set up quality child-care services like those produced overnight during World War III, when women's labor outside the home was needed, respected, and rewarded.
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