On Fri, 20 Dec 2002 16:35:43 -0000, "Hamish Macbeth"
wrote:


"Torsten Brinch" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 20 Dec 2002 13:49:50 GMT, "Michelle Fulton"
.

It should be the exception, rather than the rule, that a society needs
to subsidize the production of basic necessities for survival.


Society has to provide for the poor. This can be done by either a
minimum wage that is liveable in a free market, social payments or
subsidise in the basics. snip stuff re social welfare policy

That already assumes that the society is removed from a situation in
which it needs to subsidise the production of basic necessities for
survival. I agree that an appropriate safety net must be in existence
in such a society, to the effect that noone drops out at the bottom.
It is entirely unclear how current cap payments are meant to provide
for the poor.