That analogy would be apt if every employee in this country did not have the liberty to find another job, learn a trade, or otherwise try to better their financial situation. But alas, that is not the case.
Firstly, the notion that workers have the freedom to easily move between jobs is a gross oversimplification. For tens of millions, especially those living paycheck to paycheck (About 60% of the workforce), the risks associated with leaving a job are immense. It's not about moving a towel on a beach; it's about risking your livelihood, your family's well-being, and your ability to meet basic needs. This isn't liberty; it's a form of coercion.
Moreover, your argument ignores the power imbalance inherent in the employer-employee relationship under capitalism. Workers often face conditions that are authoritarian, dehumanizing, and sometimes even hazardous. The 'choice' to endure such conditions or risk unemployment is no choice at all. This is not freedom; it's exploitation and control, a modern serfdom where the lords are private corporate interests.
Furthermore, I should mention that moving to different jobs frequently can be detrimental to one's future earning potential and employability. The job market punishes those who appear to lack stability, creating a catch-22 situation for many workers. They are condemned for remaining employed under bad conditions and equally condemned for trying to escape them.
Your point about education and training also falls flat. The reality is that not everyone has the capacity (i.e. luxury of time, money, energy, intelligence, or even means of transportation), to pursue further education or training at a local college or a vocational school. The systemic barriers to education and skill acquisition are real and significant, especially for those already struggling to make ends meet. America needs to develop the infrastructure and programs to help people acquire an education and skills, facilitating their school attendance, without burdening them with loans or unaffordable tuition fees. We should all support this program:
Job Corps is the largest free residential education and job training program for young adults ages 16-24. We connect you with the skills and education you need to get the career you want!
www.jobcorps.gov
Unfortunately, GOP politicians are constantly trying to defund Job Corps, for some other half-baked, privately owned alternative or nothing at all.
Lastly, addressing your point on freedom in the workplace, it's indeed a glaring contradiction in the capitalist system. Advocates of capitalism often proclaim the virtues of liberty and democracy, yet seem content to allow workplaces to operate as dictatorships. This hypocrisy is stark and telling. The workplace, where most adults spend the majority of their waking hours, is often devoid of democratic principles. Workers have little to no say in their conditions, pay, or treatment. This is not just an economic issue; it's a fundamental issue of freedom and human dignity.
The way to mitigate all of the above is with labor unions, but unfortunately, the Republicans and some Democrats as well, do everything possible to strip workers of their ability to unionize by passing bills that protect employers at the expense of their employees.
What institution, making money?
Market capitalism. As a socialist who recognizes the need for markets before technology forces production by necessity into non-profit, marketless socialism, I don't agree with capitalism's bottom line, namely, profits. For me, markets serve the higher purpose of providing the nation with goods and services, which is a necessity. People need food, clothing, housing..etc. The profit motive although important in an economic system with markets, doesn't take priority in market socialism. As socialists, our priority is the public good, not private capital accumulation or the pursuit of money. Mass production serves society best when it is centered on what's good for the public, not what is convenient or palatable for a billionaire or a few wealthy elites.
Are you a slave?
Relying on wages from an employer-owner, as an employee, is a form of slavery, so in a way yes, I am dependent upon my wages and employer. My employer in a way at a macroscale or at a higher level, is also dependent upon wages because workers like me take their money and purchase the products and services that people like my employer sell. A market capitalist economy is similar to an ecosystem. There's a form of symbiosis between employers and their employees, but where the wheel meets the road, in the most apparent and visible way, workers like me are the slaves of this system of production, and dependent on wages and their employers.
I'm fortunate enough to be a unionized machinist, with a phenomenal salary. I've been coding CNC machines now for 12 years and before then I was a CNC machine operator. I've been training artificial intelligence to take my job for the last two and a half years. I'm training the system that is going to render me jobless, but hey that's how this system works. I'm getting a good pension, it's not that bad. I'm concerned for the young ones, in their 20s and 30s. I'm 51, and I've been doing this for almost 30 years, here in the US and in another country I used to live in.
This still begs the question: What about those who do not abuse that power?
My analogy answered that question. There are good masters but the institution itself is wrong or obsolete in the case of capitalism.
This is purely opinion on your part. But it does beg another question: At what point, exactly, does one's income constitute "some type of mental and emotional disturbance"?
It's an appeal to common sense and what is self-evident for most people. Are you being violated by society for not being allowed to hoard more than a million bucks monthly? Most reasonable people would say no after they reflect upon it a bit. For some of us, the answer is immediately apparent. No way! A million bucks monthly? Who could seriously complain?
A cap on personal wealth, such as a net income of a million dollars monthly or a maximum of $100 million in personal assets, can be justified on several grounds:
- Redressing Extreme Inequality: Gross inequality is a significant issue in many societies. When a small minority accumulates vast fortunes while a significant portion of the population struggles for basic necessities, it creates an unjust and unstable society. A cap on personal wealth would help redistribute resources more equitably, ensuring that everyone has access to essential services like healthcare, education, and housing.
- Democratic Integrity: Billionaires wield disproportionate political influence through campaign contributions, lobbying, and control over media narratives. This undermines democratic processes and often leads to policies that favor the wealthy at the expense of the majority. Limiting personal wealth would help reduce this undue influence and restore balance to the democratic process.
- Social Stability and Cohesion: Extreme wealth disparities can lead to social unrest, as people become increasingly disillusioned with a system that seems rigged against them. By capping personal wealth, society can promote greater social cohesion and stability.
- Moral and Ethical Considerations: There's a moral argument that no individual needs billions of dollars to live a fulfilling life. Beyond a certain point, wealth accumulation becomes less about personal success and more about hoarding resources that could be used for the public good.
Regarding the specific limits, it's true that any cap on wealth is somewhat arbitrary. However, the exact figure is less important than the principle behind it. The limit should be set at a level that allows individuals to live comfortably and luxuriously, without amassing so much wealth that it disrupts economic balance and social equity. The proposed figures of $1 million monthly income and $100 million in assets strike a balance between individual reward for success and effort, and societal needs.
The determination of what constitutes a "reasonable" limit is indeed a societal decision. Like all laws and regulations, it reflects the values and priorities of the society that implements it.