Above: "Breakdown," a lithograph by Paul Weller (1912-2000), created while he was in the WPA's Federal Art Project, ca. 1936-1939. Image courtesy of the General Services Administration and the Baltimore Museum of Art.
How many Americans experienced the above scenario during the Great Depression, as they roamed about the country looking for work? And today, perhaps things haven't changed as much as we'd like to think. For example, in our increasingly unstable gig economy, where worker mobility is essential, "63% of adult Americans... don't have the savings to pay for a $500 car repair," (Business Insider, January 19, 2016).
Indeed, many working-class people can be devastated with a serious car breakdown, like a failed transmission or a broken timing belt that damages internal engine parts; but if you're born into wealth, auto repairs (or even car payments) will never be a concern.
Middle & low-income college students also face more stress about transportation than their wealthier counterparts. The children of the wealthy are, quite simply, immune from financially-debilitating auto repairs - and they also don't have to worry about rent or student loan debt. They can attend their courses, study for tests, and take unpaid internships at prestigious organizations with far less stress. When progressives talk about economic injustice, these are the types of things they're talking about. A lot of this caste system nonsense could be eliminated with progressive solutions, for example, free public college, more debt relief, and a higher estate tax.
Until economic injustice in America is adequately addressed, millions of Americans will continue to be crushed by automobile--as well as physical and mental--breakdowns... thereby setting the stage for wealthy charlatan buffoons to seize power with simple-minded slogans, like "Make America Great Again." Unfortunately, these slogans won't pay for your new $3,000 transmission.
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