Re: The meme here, to use a term from economics, I would say that the “marginal utility” of a living wage is quite high, but it trails off after that. It’s kind of like your first sandwich when you’re hungry or your first coat when you’re cold.
FWIW, I believe that societies that are organized around the principle of a living wage, i.e., what one finds in the rest of the developed world, are better in every way than what we have here in the U.S.
Their people are happier, healthier, more productive, better educated, less violent, kinder, and less prone to substance abuse. Moreover, they don’t vote for criminal sociopaths to lead their country; that’s a special bonus.
If you ask people from Sweden, for instance, if they resent paying higher taxes than what we Americans pay, most of them will laugh at you. I do this routinely, and I’ve never heard anyone say, “Oh, no, poverty, ignorance, and mass shootings are our national objectives.”
Hmm. He’s the governor of the most populous state in the country, whose revenues, if it were a country, would make it the fourth largest economy on Earth. His state ranks in the top five in terms of colleges and universities. We’re wealthy, well-educated, and extremely productive.
It’s true that he’s not a Trump supporter, but California (and the rest of the world) generally regards the current U.S. president as a criminal sociopath.
Yes, that infuriates folks who are poor, ignorant, racist, and disease-ridden, but generally speaking, it doesn’t bother Californians.
Improving our broken, pathetic educational system is important, but it’s only a part of the solution. Trump’s support is based on the fact that a) most rich people are selfish pigs, and b) most white poor people are hateful racists.
Decency is not taught directly in school (though it’s true that reading the world’s great books goes a long way to creating enlightened minds).
Here’s a short video from actor Richard Gere that speaks a few concise words to Americans.
How did we get to this horrible point?
-
Climate Change10 months ago
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
-
Greenhouse Gases10 months ago
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
-
Greenhouse Gases2 years ago嘉宾来稿：满足中国增长的用电需求 光伏加储能“比新建煤电更实惠”
-
Climate Change2 years ago嘉宾来稿：满足中国增长的用电需求 光伏加储能“比新建煤电更实惠”
-
Climate Change2 years ago
Bill Discounting Climate Change in Florida’s Energy Policy Awaits DeSantis’ Approval
-
Renewable Energy7 months agoSending Progressive Philanthropist George Soros to Prison?
-
Carbon Footprint2 years agoUS SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rules Spur Renewed Interest in Carbon Credits
-
Greenhouse Gases11 months ago
嘉宾来稿：探究火山喷发如何影响气候预测