My teenager was taught in middle school that the role of a government is to protect the people. In my opinion, that should include protecting our basic needs for survival. In our society, that would include things such as healthcare, living wages that keep up with inflation, the right to affordable utilities, and more.
While the United States does offer government assistance for those below certain income requirements, those who receive help still often struggle. It's also no secret that there is a considerable gap between eligibility for benefits and a true living wage. Many of us make too much money to get the help we need, but don't make enough to live a comfortable life. We're a missed paycheck or other financial crisis away from not being able to pay rent, buy groceries, or keep other necessary bills paid.
This has led to many blaming those on welfare for their struggle. After all, it is our tax dollars that fund government assistance programs. What's the problem with this blame? Most receiving benefits also work and pay taxes, or they at least used to before they qualified. There's also the issue that, for those on disability benefits, it can be a long and difficult process to receive the help they need. Many have to rely on family or friends for help, or they risk becoming homeless before their benefits are approved.
The money being directed to programs such as SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, HUD, and other benefits is being used to protect some of the most financially vulnerable people from further hardship. It's not their fault that the government isn't helping the rest of us working class citizens. If we should be blaming anyone, what about the wealthy? After all, corporate bailouts cost the United States billions each year, and these corporations aren't even paying their employees enough to live on to keep up with inflation. Why are they getting help when it doesn't benefit those of us who are actually doing the work? Further, politicians cost taxpayers at least a few billion dollars each year, as well. Based on the average salary of U.S. congress, they are earning roughly 12 times more than what the federal minimum wage pays. It hardly seems right that they should make that much while the working class is struggling.
Further, the idea that those on welfare are at fault is a classist notion designed to divide the working class. Who does that help? The corporations who continue to raise prices on products and services while paying poverty wages.
This same harmful classism also perpetuates the "hard work" myth. By believing that we just need to work harder or work more hours, we often destroy our own health and relationships.
The fight for workers' rights has been ongoing for a long time. Unions formed to gain the rights to safe work environments, shorter work weeks, and better wages. Workers have literally fought and died to gain rights from their companies¹.
As inflation causes the cost of groceries to skyrocket, as utilities are controlled by monopolies that continue raising prices; when is enough going to be enough? The average working American isn't getting enough pay increases to keep up with the cost of living. Whatever raises we get acts as a bandaid over an open wound that probably needs antibiotics and stitches.
It's clear to many of us where the government's loyalties lie, and that's not with the people. It's with the corporations that prey on us. So why do so many fall for the propaganda that shifts blame onto our neighbors? Why aren't we, as a collective, uniting and taking action? I'm not saying in any way that we should arm up or riot. However, if enough of the working class would participate in a wide scale general strike and build community-based mutual aid networks, that could bring about some real change. As the line in that one movie goes, "There's more of us than there are of them."
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