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I think being a programmer does help the situation in one respect: by having a large salary, you also pay commensurately more in taxes, which could be used to pay for social services.

One reason the quality of life is so high in Germany is that it is, as far as I can tell, a nation of engineers. With an economy based on high value products for export, Germany can afford one of the shortest work-weeks in the world and some of the best social services.

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That's very true. And it's kind of comforting, because you know that by earning well, you're creating positive externalities. This is why I'm happy to pay my taxes. (I don't necessarily support everything they're spent on, but everyone has to compromise on that, no matter what they support.)

If more programmers did volunteer (or their employers encouraged volunteering), even for a little bit, by being exposed to the problem and having an opportunity to interact with the homeless, some new solutions might arise.

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