• Neuromancer@lemm.eeM
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    6 months ago

    another perspective, could support the idea that conservatives are delusional in their belief that everyone has roughly the same opportunities to succeed

    For the most part, we do. That’s why so many people flock here from other countries. I grew up poor, I joined the national guard, paid for my undergraduate, graduate degree, they paid for most my medical school. Between the national guard and army, I came out owing next to nothing from college. I went into technology and made even more money. I worked at a swat doctor to supplement my income. The opportunities are there if you are willing to work hard and a reasonably intelligent. Now yes the wealthy may have it easier but anyone can come wealthy if they just do something of value and expand on something. Liberals want the government to hand them success. Conservatives want the chance to build their success

    • PeepinGoodArgs
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      6 months ago

      It’s funny that we have a similar story and have ended up with different political ideologies.

      I went into the Navy, had them pay for my undergrad and now my job is paying for my MBA. Still plan on going back to school for something more interesting than business since I have some of my GI Bill left.

      The government has quite literally handed me my success, same for you, though we earned it.

      But the liberal part of me wonders why that isn’t just part of the social contract anymore. I’m not opposed to people having to work for their benefits, but the stark contrast in the value of remuneration in the past to now isn’t justified in any way.

      It was possible for grandparents to work at an ice cream shop and pay their way through college. That’s literally impossible now. Manufacturing jobs used to be able to support whole families on a single income. Also impossible.

      So I don’t disagree that people should have to earn their opportunities. I disagree that they should have to work so hard for so little these days just to survive, let alone thrive. Opportunities seem fewer and further between and there’s far more competition for them. And there’s no real justification for the the disparity between now and then.

      • Neuromancer@lemm.eeM
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        6 months ago

        It was possible for grandparents to work at an ice cream shop and pay their way through college

        Companies use to pay for college. I knew people who started at IBM after high school. The company thought they had potential and sent them to college. They paid for college, and I think half their salary. In return they’re stay at IBM and become management or some other job that needed a degree. I think that’s one of the largest changes I’ve seen