I should have said "supposed shoddiness".
My point was not that the welfare state is shoddy but that, if you support the welfare state, mistakes like this should bother you more, not less.
My point was not that the welfare state is shoddy but that, if you support the welfare state, mistakes like this should bother you more, not less.
Why? I support social programs, I accept some inefficiencies and waste.
In general I think small waste is not worth the energy to be concerned about if the benefit is huge.
That said, I think means testing is a waste of everyone's time. Just provide the benefits to everyone -- it simplifies the process of providing the benefit.
In other words, blithe dismissals like "I accept some inefficienies and waste" provide the other side with the best possible ammunition against the idea of a welfare state.
It's laughable to see the number of people here who, straight-faced, say nonsense like "Nitpicking efficiency is for the capitalists".
This doesn't follow at all.
As long as the policies are progressive (in the economic sense) and enough money gets to those who need it, why should small inefficiencies bother me? Nitpicking efficiency is for the capitalists.
If you spend $100M to reduce waste by $34M, then did you actually reduce waste?