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PaperclipPerfector  1yr ago (text post)   27974 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of November 6, 2023

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rule that you as a frail and elderly person pretty much only deserve to have a quality of life worth a damn

Outside of individuals who should be sentenced to life in prison, is there anyone not entitled to an upper-middle-class life, regardless of their life choices?

You need to define what "worth a damn" means. I haven't compiled what I usually see from leftists regarding what the elderly are entitled to, but once listed out, I'm guessing it's an upper-middle-class standard if you want to live in flyover country or a wealthy one if you want to live in an Alpha++ city.

For younger people, I see:

  • Unlimited world-class healthcare.
  • At least 40 hours of childcare per week.
  • No more than two children per bedroom, and older children should not have to share a room for as many children as you can have.
  • A safe, walkable neighborhood within biking distance of the downtown core.
  • A workweek of less than 40 hours, although I observe that this number is constantly decreasing. Let's be honest, jobs are optional because means testing is not allowed.
  • If you do want a job, then more than 6 weeks of paid vacation.
  • At least 3 months of paid parental leave (I've seen people advocating for a year).
  • If you do need a vehicle, it should not be a beater.
  • High-speed internet.
  • A smartphone.
  • Free college (should any education be paid for out of pocket?)

Considering that jobs are optional, it seems that everyone is entitled to the life of a trust fund kid.

Life in a social democracy with more robust social services, in other words. Sounds great to me.

The problem is that eventually you run out of other people's money.

That's not really in evidence. The Nordic social democracies that are held up as exemplars may not be entirely what some of their external fans believe they are (in particular, they still have poor people, you still have to go to work, and they have high taxes on everyone, not just the rich), but they're not in danger of running out of money.

Do the Nordic social democracies provide to everyone:

  • Unlimited world class healthcare
  • 40 hours of (free) childcare a week
  • No more than two children per bedroom, and older children should not have to share a room for as many children as you can have

As far as I can tell the answer is "no" to all three. I assume the answer is the same for the rest of the list.

Yes, yes, and within reason.

This is very easily googleable or verifiable by either going there or asking anyone from those places.

That last one is iffy though; I was told (in Oslo, at least) that if you want a big house for any amount of money you are gonna have to be willing to move outside the metro area.

Unlimited healthcare? Any procedure you want, the government will cover 100%?

40 hours of free childcare a week does not appear to exist, but maybe I missed it.

Last one is just totally false as far as I can tell. If you make enough money, sure.

I don’t know about the others, but unlimited world class healthcare is not unlimited healthcare to the maximal extent possible.

Unlimited means unlimited.

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