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by aantix 2916 days ago
How is the U.S. economy being "bled dry"?

96% of the population have a television. 90% have a cell phone. 80% have access to the Internet. Catastrophic healthcare is now capped, and low-income families are subsidized on health plans. Public education is mandated and provided everywhere. Public libraries are available in virtually every city.
2 comments
itchyouch 2916 days ago
The truth probably lies somewhere in between you and the OP.

Most of the things you've mentioned are at the top-half of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. For many, they are one pay check away from homelessness.

Public education, while mandated, is not equal, as property taxes pay for education across most of the U.S, which equates to, rich folks/better neighborhoods having access to better funded schools.

There was a hackernews comment some time ago that pointed out that the fundamental problem seems to be that over the years, the distribution of risk has moved from institutions to the individual. The individual bears the brunt of the risk, with cascading burdens tied to small emergencies.

The oft cited scenario of low-income folks losing their job due to car troubles, thus being on the brink of homelessness, due to non-payment of rent is becoming more of a reality for the middle class.

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ntsplnkv2 2916 days ago
A television is a sign of wealth? TVs can be bought for $100 nowadays.

Cell phone? You can get those EXTREMELY cheap.

Define access to the internet?

> Catastrophic healthcare is now capped, and low-income families are subsidized on health plans.

This is simply untrue. Many changes Obamacare made have essentially been gutted by the current administration.

> Public education is mandated and provided everywhere. Public libraries are available in virtually every city.

Public libraries have been around decades as has public education.

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burfog 2914 days ago
Never mind actually owning a television. The fact that you can purchase one for an amount of money that seems trivial is an indicator that you are, in an absolute sense, wealthy.

Our poorest people are in many ways wealthy compared to both people of times past and compared to people in poor nations. Homeless people can get apples and potatoes all year long, something even William the Conqueror couldn't have.

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ntsplnkv2 2913 days ago
No, it's an indicator that things can be manufactured cheaply.

> The fact that you can purchase one for an amount of money

You can get TVs free off the sidewalk in most places. It is not an indicator of wealth.

> Our poorest people are in many ways wealthy compared to both people of times past and compared to people in poor nations. Homeless people can get apples and potatoes all year long, something even William the Conqueror couldn't have.

Homeless people are so wealthy...they don't have shelter? I think you're putting your foot in your mouth. Also can they get apples? With what money? Apples are available to purchase. That doesn't make them affordable.

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