In the UK if you are low paid you can get social security benefits , help with you rent etc. So effectively we subsidise people in low paid jobs.

I'm not saying they should be paid the same as a skilled worker but the job market shouldn't be distorted by this sort of well meaning government intervention.

OK, now I see what you mean. It is the same here in the states. People who are below a certain income level can get food stamps, subsidized low rent housing and so on.

I am not so sure how well meaning the government intervention is. Once people are dependent upon the government, they will continue to keep the politicians that are feeding them in power. IMHO, it is not about taking care of the poor. It is more about staying in power.

If we really wanted to help the poor we would teach them to be self-reliant.

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you will not have to listen to his incessant whining about how hungry he is.”—Author unknown

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you can sell him fishing equipment.”—Author unknown

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to use the Net and he won't bother you for weeks.”—Author unknown

“Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Unless he doesn't like sushi—then you also have to teach him to cook.”—Auren Hoffman, Herald Philosopher

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and he will sit in the boat and drink beer all day.”—OldFox

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to sell fish and he eats steak.”—Author unknown