Should social security benefits be expanded, reduced, or kept at the same level? Justify your answer.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Case for Expanding Social Security Benefits
Introduction
Social Security benefits play a crucial role in providing financial support to retirees, disabled individuals, and surviving family members. However, the question of whether these benefits should be expanded, reduced, or kept at the same level is a matter of ongoing debate. In this essay, we will argue for the expansion of Social Security benefits, highlighting the reasons why it is a necessary step to ensure a dignified and secure retirement for all Americans.
Ensuring Retirement Security
One of the primary justifications for expanding Social Security benefits is the need to ensure retirement security for all individuals. As life expectancy increases and the cost of living rises, it has become increasingly challenging for retirees to maintain a comfortable standard of living solely through their savings and pensions. Expanding Social Security benefits would provide a vital safety net, allowing retirees to meet their basic needs and enjoy a dignified retirement.
Addressing Income Inequality
Expanding Social Security benefits also presents an opportunity to address income inequality. In recent years, the gap between the wealthy and the working class has widened significantly, leaving many Americans struggling to make ends meet during retirement. By increasing benefits, we can redistribute resources more equitably, ensuring that those who have contributed to the system throughout their lives receive a fair share in return.
Promoting Economic Stimulus
Expanding Social Security benefits can also have positive economic effects. Retirees who receive higher benefits are more likely to spend their additional income on goods and services, thereby stimulating economic growth. This increased consumer spending can create job opportunities and support local businesses, ultimately benefiting the broader economy.
Protecting Vulnerable Populations
Another compelling reason to expand Social Security benefits is to provide greater support for vulnerable populations. Many individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses rely on Social Security as their primary source of income and healthcare coverage. Expanding benefits would ensure that these individuals have access to the resources they need to live fulfilling lives and manage their medical expenses effectively.
Funding Options
While the case for expanding Social Security benefits is strong, it is essential to address concerns about funding. Critics argue that such expansion would strain the already burdened federal budget. However, there are viable funding options available to support an increase in benefits without compromising fiscal responsibility. For instance, raising the cap on taxable income for Social Security contributions or implementing a modest increase in payroll taxes for high-income earners could generate the necessary revenue to fund expanded benefits.
Conclusion
Expanding Social Security benefits is a necessary step to ensure retirement security, address income inequality, stimulate economic growth, and protect vulnerable populations. By providing retirees with a more substantial safety net, we can promote a society that values the well-being and dignity of all its citizens. While concerns about funding exist, there are viable options available to support an expansion of benefits without compromising fiscal responsibility. It is time to prioritize the welfare of our seniors and work towards a future where everyone can retire with peace of mind and financial stability.
