this post was submitted on 03 Oct 2023
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This is kinda where I'm at.
I believe no American citizen (either natural born or immigrant) should have to work just to live a safe life.
Everyone should have access to a safe, well kept, secure, climate controlled home with internet access, 3 meals a day, and Healthcare.
After that, if people want to "work extra" and save up for legit luxuries and not necessities for life, then let them. Let the people who want to flaunt their wealth have their Lamborghini, while the rest of us are living comfortable with an Electric SUV if you have a family/Electric Coupe if alone(or even better. A walkable city!)
I love Japan's bike roads. Anyway yeah we can do so much better. End corporate power.
To add to this, I can't help but notice that pretty much all private sector businesses in control of quality of life have become extremely greedy. There was a time in the 70s where your home wasn't that expensive, wages were comfortable, retirement was expected, and something like healthcare, with private insurance companies, was not expensive. Even hospital visits without insurance were still feasible.
This makes the capitalism model appealing. We have the freedom to run a business, the government is small, regulations are light, and everyone gets along. It makes sense that old folks are out of touch with how rampantly expensive everything is, because they have their $20k home paid off, they got their social security and pension, and they're on Medicare (which is ironically a social program). There is little reason to change anything for your personal benefit if you are already retired.
However, the business model of making as much money as possible has caught up, and when you're getting charged $70 for a Tylenol pill (but don't worry, insurance covers it), you know there is a serious problem. "But my insurance covers it" is exactly what they want you to think to let this continue for a few more decades.