

The Road of Good Intentions
7 snips Oct 3, 2025
The discussion delves into the impact of automation on low-wage jobs and how noble intentions can backfire, as illustrated by policies like Cash for Clunkers. Listeners are urged to reflect on their motives for charitable actions and avoid performative acts of kindness. Key points include the importance of respecting the dignity of the poor and the dangers of structural incentives that perpetuate problems. Ultimately, the conversation focuses on the need for Christians to give wisely and humbly, ensuring their efforts truly uplift those in need.
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Automation Undermines Minimum-Wage Goals
- Minimum wage hikes sound helpful but often fail when automation removes jobs.
- John Stonestreet warns robots and AI will make many low-wage jobs obsolete despite good intentions.
Cash For Clunkers' Poor Results
- The Cash for Clunkers program created temporary demand but few lasting jobs.
- Brookings found it cost $1.4 million per job and barely reduced emissions.
Intentions Aren't Enough
- Good intentions don't justify ineffective or harmful policies.
- John Stonestreet argues helping must actually help, not merely feel noble.