Okay, I’m just putting this out there. Why does anyone need millions of dollars a year to survive? I mean, seriously. It’s quite obvious that it’s not necessary. The vast majority of us get by on a mere fraction of that. If Jeff Bezos lost a billion dollars tomorrow, he wouldn’t even feel it. But society would certainly benefit from that billion dollars.
Asking for an increase in the minimum wage in this country always seems to spark great controversy, even though, on the all-too-rare occasion when it happens, not only does the world not come to an end, but it causes the economy to thrive. It’s blatantly obvious that we all do better when money is more widely distributed.
So maybe we should focus more on the opposite end of the spectrum. I truly believe that there should be a maximum wage. Most obscenely rich Americans could easily maintain their lifestyles even if their income was limited to, say, 750k a year. All the rest of their profits could prop up social service agencies, education, infrastructure, health care, and yes, dammit, an increase in the minimum wage.
The fact that this idea seems so radical, the fact that it causes this reflexive flinch in the very gut of most Americans, is a clear indicator that we’ve been well trained. Even worse, this idea will never flourish because money is power, and we allow ourselves to be ruled by it. Literally.
We make it so politicians have to be rich to get elected. We make it so they are supported by the ultra rich. Even if we tried to implement a maximum wage plan, the rich would find a loophole. We have no power ourselves, and yet we’re the ones who prop up this system. We are treating ourselves as if we’re the enemy. This insanity has got to stop.
There is no reason on earth that any American should be homeless or hungry. There is no reason a child should go without shoes. There’s no reason why anyone should be deprived of health care.
By not supporting those in need, we are supporting the very people who don’t need support and never have. We shouldn’t be here. It’s obscene. And yet, here we are.
Read any good books lately? Try mine! http://amzn.to/2mlPVh5
The View from a Drawbridge 
Let’s begin with our elected officials and the power we give them. What if we invented a series of public tests, that measures a candidate’s ability to do the job, and let the ones who score highest have one debate after which the citizens decide, by direct vote, which one gets the job. Of course each candidate would undergo thorough psychological exams and background checks before being considered for candidacy. No need for parties and campaigning. No need to be rich. No electoral college and you’re assured your vote actually counts and that they’re well qualified. Quick, fair and politicians can focus on their actual jobs. Just another radical common sense idea that won’t survive the status quo. So sick of the ugly, negative drama that surrounds our unbalanced election process. It turns so many away from participation and led to the chaos we’re experiencing now.
I couldn’t have said it better myself.