It's depressing but not surprising that everyone in this subthread who said that strong social safety nets are worth a pay cut is getting downvoted. There's a strong thread of social Darwinism among HN readers.
I think it may also be American exceptionalism at play. It shows in the time the downvotes appear on any comment that dares to point out some deep problems that US of A have been struggling with for quite a while.
But then, what can you expect from people indoctrinated from early childhood by, among many other things, being coerced to pledge to the flag every day like it's North Korea.
