A partial list of what I think we, as a society, should provide to all people, not just those in need:

  1. Healthcare
  2. Housing
  3. Food
  4. Utilities
  5. Communication - phone/internet

Our governments should provide the basics of these 5 categories to everyone and people should be able to move and upgrade and purchase extra if that is what they want to do. I’m not sure how we go from a society that believes, “fuck you, I’ve got mine”, is a valid response to the suffering of other people.

I do think that we need more empathy and understanding and help built into our governments. We should not be dependent upon the idea that everything you are is of value because you work. You are of value because you are a person. The work you do is just a reflection of your beliefs.

1. Healthcare

Pretty self explanatory. I do not think that your access to quality healthcare should be tied to your employment. The current pandemic has nothing to do with that thinking. Nothing says you’re living in the “greatest country in the world” than the fact that you could go bankrupt because you had to stay in a hospital for a week.

2. Housing

I believe that everyone should have someplace to call home. There should not be a homeless problem in the United States. Local governments should provide free housing to those who can not afford their own, until they are able to provide for themselves and afford their own.

3. Food

Similar to #2, there shouldn’t be anyone in the United States who can not afford to feed their family. It is a disgrace that we allow this problem to continue. It is a disgrace that we think that the food pantries, kitchens, and banks are what will solve this problem. We can do better. We can provide for those who can not provide for themselves. We can help our fellow humans eat and feed their families. We just don’t want to.

4. Utilities

Tied to @2 on the list is providing utilities for those that need housing. If you’re going to provide free housing to those who can not afford it then you must provide the utilities to the housing as well. If we can take the profit out of the basic neccesities then we can focus on providing support to those who need it.

5. Communication

Access to the internet should be provided to everyone in the United States. It should not be controlled by private companies. It should be a public good.

I don’t think that there is no room for private companies to provide any of the above. I think that the government should provide the minimum of this list to all people and if people want more they can turn to private companies and pay for the extra services.