By many metrics, the US economy is humming along. The jobs market is robust; consumers are spending again; and inflation has eased to a three-year low.
Okay, I’m someone who has mostly benefitted here. I got a really well paying job, I snagged a house before the rates started getting too high, moving to an area with a lower cost of living (i.e. lower grocery prices). I’m fully aware that my experience is a lot better than many people who are still suffering from how bad prices have gotten.
The reason I’m upset is because of goddamn motherfucking privitization, and subsequent enshittification, of so many important things. There’s been the recent pushes from the right to shutdown public services like libraries, encourage homeschooling or other “alternative education” away from our already insufficient public schooling, etc. We already know how awful things get when they’re fully privatized, as in health insurance, prisons, and HOA’s, but it feels like while democrats are making good policy decisions, they’re completely ignoring this issue. So, the right keeps pulling things down, but the left is doing basically nothing to keep it afloat, let alone making things better.
TL;DR: “Health Insurance” companies can eat my ass
I’m in a similar spot as you. Doubled my income over the pandemic (though I got laid off in December), bought a house at 4.99%, and moved to a slightly lower cost of living city that’s still in range of Seattle.
Same, but I snagged a 3.125% right at the end of 2020, could not have been better timing. I got approved to move from the east coast back to my home town while keeping my current job (at the time), and was super lucky to find my house when I did. I also got laid off in March 2023, but thankfully rebounded quick and although my new job is also remote, it doesn’t pay as much as I’m qualified for in experience.
But I’m also mad for the same reasons and also mad that my friends in similar fields have not been so lucky and are still struggling to even afford a house.
This is a very good synopsis. I, too, have an experience similar to yours, and while I don’t feel it in my bank account, I see Republicans, Fundigelicals, and Conservatives being allowed to run amok and cause all kinds of localized damage. It does not feel good to know that businesses are currently getting away with greedflation, churches are getting away with tax fraud, and Conservatives are successfully robbing the government via fraudulent PPP loans and school vouchers.
The Biden Administration might have a general handle on the economy, but they still seem to be operating under the illusion that the above groups have some basic decency and decorum. And it’s that “boys will be boys” attitude towards them that makes a lot of people worried about the future, in spite of economic improvements.
The focus on the economy is the problem. The average American cares about the cost of living and the quality of life. An economy that fails to deliver those is worthless to most of us.
I really wish we could get universal healthcare in this country. It is just insane I spend $5k on health insurance that I never use because I’m afraid a visit to the doctors is going to result in some stupid high bill that for some reason united healthcare will weasel their way out of paying.
Yo I am in the exact situation and mindset you are. I got really lucky in regards to jobs, buying a home, and living in a low cost area. I do have a ton of recent medical debt because I broke my ankle and leg and needed surgery to fix it. I was off of work for 3 months so shit sucked for a while. I’m paying back my debt with $5-$10 a month because they can’t do jack shit if it looks like I’m attempting to pay. These fuckers don’t deserve more than that.
Okay, I’m someone who has mostly benefitted here. I got a really well paying job, I snagged a house before the rates started getting too high, moving to an area with a lower cost of living (i.e. lower grocery prices). I’m fully aware that my experience is a lot better than many people who are still suffering from how bad prices have gotten.
The reason I’m upset is because of goddamn motherfucking privitization, and subsequent enshittification, of so many important things. There’s been the recent pushes from the right to shutdown public services like libraries, encourage homeschooling or other “alternative education” away from our already insufficient public schooling, etc. We already know how awful things get when they’re fully privatized, as in health insurance, prisons, and HOA’s, but it feels like while democrats are making good policy decisions, they’re completely ignoring this issue. So, the right keeps pulling things down, but the left is doing basically nothing to keep it afloat, let alone making things better.
TL;DR: “Health Insurance” companies can eat my ass
I’m in a similar spot as you. Doubled my income over the pandemic (though I got laid off in December), bought a house at 4.99%, and moved to a slightly lower cost of living city that’s still in range of Seattle.
I’m mad for all the same reasons.
Same, but I snagged a 3.125% right at the end of 2020, could not have been better timing. I got approved to move from the east coast back to my home town while keeping my current job (at the time), and was super lucky to find my house when I did. I also got laid off in March 2023, but thankfully rebounded quick and although my new job is also remote, it doesn’t pay as much as I’m qualified for in experience.
But I’m also mad for the same reasons and also mad that my friends in similar fields have not been so lucky and are still struggling to even afford a house.
This is a very good synopsis. I, too, have an experience similar to yours, and while I don’t feel it in my bank account, I see Republicans, Fundigelicals, and Conservatives being allowed to run amok and cause all kinds of localized damage. It does not feel good to know that businesses are currently getting away with greedflation, churches are getting away with tax fraud, and Conservatives are successfully robbing the government via fraudulent PPP loans and school vouchers.
The Biden Administration might have a general handle on the economy, but they still seem to be operating under the illusion that the above groups have some basic decency and decorum. And it’s that “boys will be boys” attitude towards them that makes a lot of people worried about the future, in spite of economic improvements.
The focus on the economy is the problem. The average American cares about the cost of living and the quality of life. An economy that fails to deliver those is worthless to most of us.
I really wish we could get universal healthcare in this country. It is just insane I spend $5k on health insurance that I never use because I’m afraid a visit to the doctors is going to result in some stupid high bill that for some reason united healthcare will weasel their way out of paying.
Yo I am in the exact situation and mindset you are. I got really lucky in regards to jobs, buying a home, and living in a low cost area. I do have a ton of recent medical debt because I broke my ankle and leg and needed surgery to fix it. I was off of work for 3 months so shit sucked for a while. I’m paying back my debt with $5-$10 a month because they can’t do jack shit if it looks like I’m attempting to pay. These fuckers don’t deserve more than that.