this post was submitted on 02 May 2024
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[–] [email protected] 15 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Our economy is controlled such that we keep a percentage of workers unemployed to limit inflation.

Therefore, there are a number of workers who are unemployed for structural reasons; taking one for the team.

Then, why are we so mean to them?

[–] [email protected] 11 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Because being mean to them is the point. If they weren't miserable, the employed workers wouldn't be afraid of losing their jobs and might demand higher wages.

In fact the data shows that stronger social safety nets increase wages. That's why neoliberal governments - including our coopted "labor" government - try to gut welfare.

Oh and the "inflation" thing is a lie. Higher wages do not cause inflation, but if economists said that out loud, then the grift would be obvious, so we're given a BS line about the price of groceries.

God it would be terrible if groceries were to ever increase in price, wouldn't it? Might cause some kind of crisis.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

Because they're not us, and we are stupid half evolved primates who can't think beyond our own immediate surrounds.