[code_lettuce]

1) Those in power tend to not give up said power. There are exceptions of course. Take for example the contracting of the British empire. However, as the outcomes of significant societal changes become less clear, those in power and comfort are less likely to forfeit those advantages.

2) In my own little bubble, no one I know is particularly fulfilled by creating crud API's and gluing together microservices. I'd bet that with guaranteed financial stability finding meaning in life would become easier, not harder.

[JanSt]

How many presidents have held onto power in the US history?

Monarchies have a history of getting taken down (in terms of power). They held an absolute power and a tight grip.

You could see money as a proxy for power, but that's only true as long as it's scarce and you can buy real power with it.

I've been a follower of your thinking patterns regarding 2) for a long time.

Life will be easier, no questions. But that's different question from the mental health one. Feeling useless is a pretty shitty feeling and a primer for depression.

[code_lettuce]

> How many presidents have held onto power in the US history?

I see the point you're driving at but the democratic institution of the US has explicit guard rails against this. We force presidents to step down because we _know_ that voluntary relinquishing of power is unlikely.

I do see money as a proxy for power. If you make enough of it you can influence public opinion, enrich or destroy education, buy twitter, etc.