For most people, passive income is a bit of extra pocket change that requires minimal effort to earn to supplement a main source of income. For Steve Ballmer, it’s $1 billion.
  • astreus@lemmy.ml
    292·
    6 months ago

    Shower thought: if everyone gives a % of their labour value to the government it’s called taxes and is evil communism. If everyone gives a % of their labour value to an individual it’s called capitalism and is glorious. How does that mental gymnastics work?

    • Aux@lemmy.world
      110·
      6 months ago

      Here’s a better shower thought: the government exists to govern you, not to serve you. When you pay taxes, you fund new mansions for the ruling class. When you invest into the business instead, you create new jobs, new tech and your future.

      • astreus@lemmy.ml
        41·
        6 months ago

        Workers have unelected bosses dictating the majority of their waking lives. Most companies literally tell you what you can and cannot wear (dress code policy), when you can and cannot eat (designated breaks), and what you can and cannot say online (social media policies). All so they can control you to extract wealth and buy super yachts.

        Look at the list of wealthiest US politicians. I cannot find a single one that didn’t make their money extracting it from workers or inheritance. Abuse of office happens; abuse of workers’ surplus is the standard.

          • astreus@lemmy.ml
            21·
            6 months ago

            Can you explain how you’ve come to that conclusion? It flies in the face of pretty much every sociologist for the last 200 years. Even Adam Smith, distinguished people by gentleman, farmer, and merchant with clear class distinctions between each, even if the term hadn’t entered into the mainstream use yet.

              • astreus@lemmy.ml
                11·
                6 months ago

                I think you’re using a different definition of class to the standard. Once again, I want to point out you are disagreeing with pretty much EVERY major academic on this subject, including, but not limited to:

                Princeton

                LSE

                Harvard

                So I’m curious as to where you got this notion from? Even Adam Smith distinguished social strata.

                • Aux@lemmy.world
                  11·
                  6 months ago

                  These academics peddle their own agenda. The reality is that there can’t be classes in a capitalist society. That’s the whole point of capitalism.