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Originally Posted by PepsiFree
The system isn’t that complex. We invented it. Every single complexity that exists is one we invented and one we can change if we want to.
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The system is mind-meltingly complex. The number of interconnected variables, actors, and economies are staggering. Demographics, fiscal policy, supply chains, markets, tariffs, taxes, interest rates, deficits - brilliant people can spend decades in school and still only understand part of how the system works.
Nobody is in charge of all of it - even in totalitarian countries like China. And the people who do have power and goodwill often get it wrong. We’re experience the worst inflation in decades because central bankers were overwhelmed by complexity and circumstances. There are so many variables and murky tradeoffs in a modern, globalized economy that they pulled the wrong levers.
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Originally Posted by PepsiFree
The biggest single issue is that people don’t want it to change.
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People are fine with change. But no, most people IRL don’t believe our system is broken. Most Canadians recognize we live in an uncommonly prosperous, peaceful, fair society. We have lots of examples of genuinely broken societies to compare ourselves with.
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Originally Posted by PepsiFree
People like that there are people who are poorer than they are.
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That’s not true. Most people recognize there’s no way to ensure everyone is materially equal. And most Canadians willingly pay taxes to try to ensure a basic standard of living is available to all.
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Originally Posted by PepsiFree
The system might be broken, but gosh darn it, I’ve done ok so how bad can it be. Any change that might have an impact on them that could be perceived as negative is too much.
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Self-interest does enter into it, yes. But that’s true of everyone. If you polled Albertans about implementing a 5 per cent PST (which I favour, btw), you’d find as much opposition among those who earn under $50k as those who earn over.
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Originally Posted by PepsiFree
As I said, mandate higher minimum wages to match a cost of living, or implement a UBI. We’re all paying for it either way, so let’s go. Or everyone middle class and lower can keep licking the boots of the rich and continue waiting patiently for whatever they want to send down the line. Because it’s been so, so much, hasn’t it?
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To implement a UBI, the federal government would have to more than double its budget. Where would the money come from? And how would we keep a lid on inflation?
And licking the boots of the rich? Really? You’re not in the students’ union bar trying to impress other undergrads anymore.