Are deliberately unemployed people a drain on society?

[dead0man]

Aren't people that are 'deliberately unemployed' stealing money from people who are legitimately unemployed?

[dead0man]

Definitions are important here. Who counts as 'deliberately unemployed'? Stay-at-home parents? The disabled? The old? Students?

I don't think any of those would count.  We're mainly talking Trust Fund Kids (and other healthy, able adults living off of a wealthy relative) and those perpetually on the dole.  Not the sick.  Not the elderly.  Not the legitimately disabled.  Not the students (unless they are perpetual students not paying their own way).

[dead0man]

so the underlying assumption behind most every post here is that the only way to 'contribute to society' is to take part in the production-and-consumption market economy.

Nobody, until now, has mentioned consumption.  I'm not sure how you got that from "most every post here", but you seem to enjoy reading what you want to read.  
(don't worry, you're not alone, it's a popular characteristic around here)

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meh, if it makes you (and they) feel better who am I to say otherwise?

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If you're helping the people paying your way then you're not a drain.

Actually most of us included (some) other kinds of productive activities in our definition of contributing to society.

A bit defensive isn't he?

[dead0man]

Most of us aren't saying we should take away the dole.  I can believe somebody is a leach and still think that they should be provided for.

[dead0man]

One family takes almost a third of a town's monthly expenses, town forced to raise taxes on everybody else.  "everybody else" is pissed.

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That's a leach.  If "paid employment is akin to misery", how's about you don't have 7 kids.

[dead0man]

One family takes almost a third of a town's monthly expenses, town forced to raise taxes on everybody else.  "everybody else" is pissed.

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That's a leach.  If "paid employment is akin to misery", how's about you don't have 7 kids.

Rare and strange circumstances such as this do not justify calls to undo the society safety net.  This woman is a leech, but if the price of a strong welfare system is a few leeches than so be it.  Nothing can be perfect, I simply advocate for policies that, IMO, do the most good on balance.

then we're on the exact same page