(no subject)
I've been reading a lot about the NYC transit strike. And I just have to say that I feel like jealousy and resentment are the base of a lot of people's feelings. There is this insane need to get what is "fairly" entitled to you, and people flip out if those who don't "deserve" it are getting more than they are. People say well they chose a shitty job with low pay, they knew what was coming for them. OK but what the fuck do I care if new york subway workers get paid more than me? People argue "they want to make as much or more than me and its an unskilled job!". Why does it affect you in any way if unskilled new yorkers are getting paid more than you? People just don't like it because they feel like if I'm getting screwed everybody else better be to. My job is a "skilled" job and a train operator is an "unskilled" job. But what happens if I don't go to work? Jack shit. It's a dent in a company's marketing plan. But if a bus driver doesn't go to work people can't do their jobs, on a larger scale the city can't function. By that measure their job is much more important than mine, so why shouldn't they get paid more? This isn't even an opinion on the strike specifically, I haven't analyzed in detail how much they are asking for, how much the city has offered or cooperated, etc. I think the same kinds of feelings are the root of supporting the death penalty as well. It benefits no one, but people can feel like the criminal has "gotten what they deserve" to appease their own needs.