People are screaming it from the rooftops. With rampant inflation, wage stagnation, outrageous healthcare costs, and minimal worker protections, the average American worker is struggling.
Many People Ignore It
However, far too many people turn a blind eye to the plight. They refuse to acknowledge the very real problems most people face and how those problems seep into every aspect of society.
Why do so many ignore the problems that are glaringly obvious to the rest of us?
Lack of Empathy
Many people who refuse to acknowledge the problem haven’t actually faced it. They aren’t struggling, so they can’t fathom that others are. They worked hard for their success and don’t realize that’s no longer a viable option for others.
These people can’t empathize with the struggles of others. They sit in comfortable bubbles, waxing poetic about how folks simply don’t want to work anymore.
Rugged Individualism
The United States elevates rugged individualism above all else to the detriment of community and collaboration.
It’s an every-man-for-himself free-for-all, where we can’t stop to think about those with less because we’re one small problem away from running in their shoes.
It’s Your Fault
Far too many Americans believe in a Just World. In this worldview, bad things happen only to bad people, while good people are showered with luck and riches. Therefore, if something terrible happens, it’s your own fault.
This worldview makes it easy to scoff at the less fortunate and ignore their suffering. It’s their own fault, after all.
People are Dumb
The average IQ is 100. That means nearly half the population has an IQ of less than 100. As much as we’d like to believe most humans are intelligent and capable of rational thought, the truth is a lot of people lack the cognitive ability to understand these systematic problems.
Propaganda
American news networks feed off the lack of intelligence. They pump out propaganda on a 24/7 news cycle, filling people’s heads with false information. It’s hard to see the truth when the news network you trust most pushes a false narrative.
Ignorance is Bliss
Some folks refuse to acknowledge the struggle because acknowledging it would mean they’d have to do something about it and doing something about it would make them very uncomfortable.
It’s easier to bury your head in the sand and enjoy your wealth.
Cognitive Dissonance
Some people’s brains literally won’t let them see the truth. They tie their self-worth to the lie they told themselves, that they succeeded because they were more talented and worked harder than everyone else.
To acknowledge that much of their success was due to an unfair system that held others back would destroy their sense of self. Therefore, they keep telling themselves that anyone can succeed, and those who don’t just didn’t try hard enough.
But America is the Greatest Country in the World
Our propaganda tells us that America is the greatest country in the world. Acknowledging that some countries treat their citizens better and that we could, too, is also recognizing that we may not be the best at something.
We can’t solve a problem without admitting we have one.
They Literally Don’t Care
A lot of folks know the truth. They hear the stories and see people struggling. They watch as the homeless line the streets of their cities.
But they’re doing fine, so why should they care?
Yes, There is a Real Poverty Trap in America
We often think of third world countries when we talk about poverty, but it’s thriving right here in the US.
Here’s the truth about America’s Poverty Trap.
America’s Toxic Work Culture Must Change
Our work culture prevents us from leading happy lives. Here’s the problems with American work culture and ways to address them.
Generational Poverty
Poverty is a generational problem. Here’s how folks get trapped in cycles of generational poverty.
The Awful State of Sick Leave in the US
The best country in the world should allow people to get sick, right?
America doesn’t. Here’s the harsh truth about sick leave policies in the United States.
Time Flies – Savor Every Moment
They often say time flies, and that’s true. We’re often so busy we don’t even notice the days and years slip away.
Yes Time Flies – But Here’s How To Savor Every Moment
Source: Reddit
Melanie launched Partners in Fire in 2017 to document her quest for financial independence with a mix of finance, fun, and solving the world’s problems. She’s self educated in personal finance and passionate about fighting systematic problems that prevent others from achieving their own financial goals. She also loves travel, anthropology, gaming and her cats.