Most Americans Expect Life to Get Worse by 2050 (opens in new tab)

(economist.com)

4 pointsmooseburger6y ago4 comments

4 comments

4 comments · 1 top-level

quaquaqua16y ago· 3 in thread

It is because all upwards mobility has been taken away from the median citizen.

You don't own things anymore, you rent them. They are taken away from you when you can't pay.

And if you own something, that too may be taken away from you or made worse by some problem that is out of your control because the local authority/corporation says "Sorry, nope!"

Humans desire freedom and collaboration. The current society is designed around serfdom and forced decisions.

derrick_jensen6y ago

Maybe if you live in an urban environment, but there's a lot of America out there where this is still the case

Can you elaborate on what you mean when you say "the local authority/corporation says Sorry/nope!"?

quaquaqua16y ago

I will provide some examples I can think of that are happening to me right now and don't feel like edge cases.

"Hi, I would like to legally subdivide my house (so that I can rent out a portion and be able to afford a very overpriced mortgage)."

"Sorry, nope! We don't like that idea. Local boss says no way."

"Hi, I would like to modify my car's appearance such that it looks different from the original factory appearance."

"Sorry nope! You will confuse us and we will think you are breaking the law even though you are not."

"Hi, I would like to operate an online business that could conceivably facilitate foreign transactions and "bets" on certain outcomes."

"Ohhh wow no definitely not, that's really bad. We have jailed certain people for less, but not Sheldon Adelson because he knows us."

downrightmike6y ago

Police Civil asset forfeiture. They charge your property with a crime, not you and the property has zero rights. They take, cash, homes and cars and use it as pennies from heaven/slush fund.

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