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A comment on Massachusetts to tax ride-hailing apps, give the money to taxis. Parent comment

Re:Massachusetts to tax ride-hailing apps, give the money to... by tao_oat on Sunday August 21, 2016 @03:46AM (#12329891)
It doesn't sound like you've ever been poor. Quality of life is about far more than the goods you can consume. It's also about job security, your chances of getting promoted, autonomy, fulfillment, and so on. If you know that you're [absolutely screwed][1] if you get fired, or get sick, or miss a paycheck, you don't really get to feel safe.

[1]: www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2015/01/07/majority-of-americans-are-one-surprise-away-from-financial-disaster-survey-says/

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Re:Massachusetts to tax ride-hailing apps, give the money to... by robocat on Sunday August 21, 2016 @05:15AM (#12330093)
It doesn't sound like you have ever been to a poor country.

> It's also about job security, your chances of getting promoted, autonomy, fulfillment, and so on

For a large number of people in the world, they are wanting food, basic safety, and healthcare.

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Re:Massachusetts to tax ride-hailing apps, give the money to... by angry_octet on Sunday August 21, 2016 @07:00AM (#12330386)
The fact that there are many billions of poor people in the world does not mean that attempting to address inequality in America is pointless tinkering at first world problems.

Being well traveled isn't usually seen as helpful training for ignoring beggars and minimum wage people who need food stamps to eat, but there you go.

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Re:Massachusetts to tax ride-hailing apps, give the money to... by stale2002 on Sunday August 21, 2016 @04:54AM (#12330049)
Compared to how extremely screwed you'd be even just 200 years ago? Actually, not even that, 80 years ago.

I think you underestimate how bad things used to be.

Today, if something unexpected happens, you are almost certainly not going to die by like next week.

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