"Torsten Brinch" wrote in message
...
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.


Well until the affordable distribution of milk was made possible in the UK,
first by railways, then by tarmac roads, rickets was a common problem in
urban UK. So perhaps the historical developments that have brought us to
where we are might shed some light on the problem. Jim's most likely the
man with the answers.

Michael Saunby