Personal Alternative: Quit your 9-5 job
I have been "unemployed" a large part of my adult life but have never been hungry or cold because of it. The disadvantages were lack of "luxuries" and social power. The advantages were self-respect (which unfortunately doesn't seem to have much value these days) and free time to work on projects that I felt were really worthwhile. I've always felt my "spare time" activities and interests were more socially productive than what I was getting paid for. Also, by not "working" I'm not paying taxes for the war machine and I'm opening up a job for someone who might otherwise be making weapons or having a nervous breakdown from being unemployed. Savings from my sojourns with the rat race have helped, as well as temporary jobs, unemployment insurance and sometimes just plain welfare.
If we want to change the system, the first step is to not allow ourselves to become dependent on the present system by expecting it to furnish make-work jobs at the cost of our more basic values.
Social Alternatives:
1. Teach Non-Materialism
2. Workable, Compassionate Welfare (8 KB)