Political Memes

but companies would rather throw it away if they can’t make a profit

Not just companies, I feel obliged to point out. The rot goes much deeper - independent farmers did the same at the time. The sickness is in society itself.

Nowadays we just pay farmers not to farm.

On the Finnish homelesness part: you're spouting misinfo, knowingly or unknowingly. Our system doesnt buy houses or apartments to anyone.

Every homeless person though IS offered a flat in a socially subsidized, very cheap price as part of a social program and/or place in a substance abuse coliving program-type of thing (not sure on the spesifics of those).

Its weird how there's so much misinformation about Finland in Lemmy these days, like were some magical egelitarian happy-land. No, we just pay our taxes and have built up a social security net, though thats actively being dismantled by our right wing government these days.

Source of all of this: I am a finn.

US is sitting at 28 vacant homes per homeless person

This pisses me off so much. There should be an extra tax for unfilled housing.

Yes, everyone having a better quality of life would elevate everyone who isn't wealthy enough to isolate into a fenced off estate and has servants to do all their domestic tasks.

I'm well aware, but I'm saying even if it were true that we had to, it would be well worth it.

but this is such a bullshit talking point

Absolutely agree! As I said to a couple others, view my comment as more of a thought experiment, an "even if" type thing (which I should have probably prefaced it with). Even if the talking points were real, it would still be bullshit.

None of the things on my list necessitate sacrificing the other, except for maybe the use of public transportation.

I'm really sorry for what you went through. I went through something similar, and on top of everything else we're adding fuel to the fire by putting ourselves at the mercy of massive private insurance companies.

You're preaching to the choir!

Komrad, Do you think we can trick them by calling it Republic+?

Keep in mind, too, that in a single-payer system, preventative care is more heavily emphasized. This shifts the load bearing of the system on the front-end (PCPs, NPs) and in theory problems are identified before they snowball into greater issues that require specialties.

Thank you. This is also an important point.

My comment was more of a thought experiment, since none of the things I listed actually require sacrificing the other.

You're right about the healthcare thing, because we can just hire more medical professionals and give them better working conditions (including but not limited to pay).

Housing is different. Single family houses take up a lot of space. Space that necessarily reduces space available for other homes. You need to increase average housing density in order to be able to house everyone at a price that is affordable within a reasonable distance of opportunities for work and social activities.

Well, my comment was just a thought experiment since we don't actually need to trade any of these things for the other, and fortunately we can also feed every kid and give them education too (I've already addressed shelter).

Neoliberals be like: We have to decide. No, we don't.

I'm so lucky to have a job where I can help people and feel good, at a non-profit that isn't causing harm.

I know not everyone can have this, but we can make it so.

If money was distributed equally among adults in the US, everyone would make around $90k/year income. Not enough to afford a yacht. Not even enough to afford a house in some parts of the country. That's kind of mind blowing to me.

Two happiest days of a boat owner: when buying the boat and when selling it

Oh so this is why so many of my yuppie nenighbors have a rotting boat in their yard that hasn't been touched in decades. NGL though, hundredrabbits vlog of sailing across the ocean from canada to japan and back in a yamaha 33 is some really inspirational stuff and I love the idea of doing something adventurous like that once in my life even if its supremely dangerous.