[grecy]

> It matters to the argument if there's a conspiracy.

I don't believe it does. Taking the dot-points as fact (People work almost all the time, etc.), which I believe they are, then we accept that as the reality of our world, and we can make a choice to do something about it as individuals (i.e. stop buying stuff), or not (i.e. keep buying stuff).

For an individual to make that choice and take action, it makes no difference why that is the current reality of our world. It only matters that it is.

We don't need to usurp any powers from anybody (real or imagined), or use any kind of mechanism as you suggest, we just need to change our actions as individuals (if we decide we're not happy with the way things are) or keep doing what we're doing (if we're fine with the way things are)