The United States is the richest nation in the world. It can afford to be generous. So why is there little to no social safety net?

It’s because the US is a Rich Asshole, and subject to what I call the Rich Asshole Rule.

I admit, the evidence is mostly anecdotal, but there seems to be an inverse relationship between wealth and compassion. The richer one gets, the less compassionate they tend to be. This is not a hard-and-fast rule; indeed, there are exceptions.

But then there’s Elon Musk, richest man in the world, and one of the biggest assholes alive.

This is no coincidence. There are few, if any, honest ways to billions of dollars. In order to accumulate such vast wealth, one must be willing to crush anyone and anything in their way. In other words, one must be indifferent to the suffering of others. One must also be convinced of the rightness of their actions.

Okay, the US isn’t completely indifferent to suffering. But self-righteousness? Yeaaaah.

NPR’s coverage of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in the United States continues with a look at how the absurdly low asset limit affects couples. It’s bad enough that it disincentivizes saving and other sound financial practices. It also means that if you go over, you could lose health coverage, and thus live-saving care. Which is, you know, kind of essential when you’re disabled.

Then, to add insult to injury, it disincentivizes… love and commitment? I mean, fuck.

https://www.npr.org/2024/06/18/g-s1-4991/social-security-ssi-marriage-penalty

I’d like to shout out @HumanServitor, who rightly pointed out that the people at the SSA aren’t to blame. They really are doing the best they can.

I lay the blame squarely on Congress. They could fix this and so many other things. Alas, they’re too busy playing stupid games and winning stupid prizes.

https://mastodon.social/@HumanServitor/112629044515996994