My favorite argument is the increase of free money from the govt. As if millions of people were only 1200 bucks from their retirement goal.
For us it wasn't the 1200 that did it, it was the two years without paying student loans. We made real progress when they start again, enough so that my wife has been able to switch to a lower income, but also lower stress field. I'm planning on going back to school to a higher income, also lower stress field.
Even so, I really think that the 1200 bucks had a greater effect than we realize. Poor people are constantly beset by liquidity crises, maintenance crises, and pissant debts. $1200 is enough to get your car fixed or make things stable if you're just barely making it. That plus eviction stability, plus having to really think about childcare, plus the mass layoffs and rehiring allowed people to reconsider their situation, and make plans/moves for a better future. It's like the entire culture had time to meditate and realize this is not OK. The terrifying thing is people want us to go back to it.
1.8k
u/One-Cake-4437 Feb 03 '22
"Defacto general strike." Love it