The Price of Inequality

Yesterday it was "Prinsjesdag" in the Netherlands. The good news that dominated the news was that it was said that everybody would benefit from an increase in purchasing power. It's a small increase, just 1% on average. And of course, as always, the ones with the lowest incomes get the least increment, and the ones with above-average incomes get the gigantic jump ahead. That is just the irony of inequality. Would one say it is unfair? Absolutely. Is it surprising? Sad to say, but no, not at all! It's a bitter truth: those who have so much will always get more faster. Wealth simply cannot exist without poverty. A philosophical notion, perhaps, but one that always proves itself in practicality.

But then today.

Today, I read that it's precisely minimum wage workers who are worse off. Nothing inside me can accept that in a country that likes to pose as rich, the already struggling are being pushed that much more into a corner. Life's little joys are slowly slipping out of the hands of an increasing number of Dutch: that day out, a good meal out, a gift for their child, unaffordable to many these days. It is true: the Netherlands is a wealthy country. But let that sink into your brain, that only speaks much about the state, the economy, and the figures on paper. It speaks of something else when it comes to the inhabitants. A growing group of people no longer sees the Netherlands as a prosperous country, but rather as a survivalist one. It's no wonder many Dutch people are looking for ways to emigrate. And honestly? If we could, and had an income independent of location, we'd also gladly leave the Netherlands to live somewhere else. The Netherlands is no longer the great country it once was.

Those who are already struggling are worse off.

Ironically, these are the people who keep society running: cleaners, shelf stackers, farmworkers, home care workers, hospitality workers, cashiers—those society can't do without. Yet, our fantastic caretaker government has found a way to undervalue them even more. Simply ensure their income declines. Perfectly logical, right?

Stop Reading The News Now!

Lately, I've noticed that I'm less and less inclined to read the news. It seems like the whole world is ruled by narcissists, with the Dutch government practically at the pinnacle of narcissism. Everything I read in the news that seems to be a positive story is harshly undermined by reality. It's poverty on the one hand, and war and misery on the other, which some people seem to enjoy. They see that as another perfect business model. How narcissistic can you get? One man's death is another man's gain. Something like that. For me, as a highly sensitive autistic person, this hits hard. Over and over again, day in, day out. The only way to shield myself from this is to bury my head in the sand and ignore the news as much as possible. No, not everything, I still think I need to know what's going on. So I can at least stay somewhat informed.

What a Surprise!

Then I read that politicians are surprised that depression is increasing among the population. Are they serious? You can't help but laugh out loud. No, not because depression is funny. But that enormous gap between politics and reality is downright hilarious. I'd like to suggest to them that they try living on a minimum income for ten or fifteen years in a country where the cost of everything is rising faster than a Ferrari can go from 0 to 100. I'd like to say to them, imagine struggling to make ends meet every month. Imagine worrying about supporting your children. Imagine not being able to go on vacation for 20 years, not being able to go out to dinner with your children, and not being able to buy them a birthday present. Imagine being stuck with a toothache because you can't afford a dentist. And now, while you're already in that situation, you have to take another step back in income.

There Isn't Always a Choice

Not everyone always has a choice in life to choose a different job. You have to have the capacity, and it should be granted to you. I know not everyone will agree with me on this. That's okay; everyone is free to have their own opinions on the matter. But I do know that poverty is not a voluntary choice for anyone. And that people will always do anything to escape it. Therefore, I think it feels like a very bad policy to target precisely those people who are already so worried about them. And in that respect, I can't understand why politicians are surprised by the increasing depression among people. How can you be surprised that people become despondent when you knock their very existence out of their grasp?

Who the hell came up with this?

With only the VVD and BBB left in the caretaker cabinet, I hope the Dutch people will wake up. The shift to the right in politics isn't good; it might seem better for a while, but the existing problems aren't being addressed; they're merely creating another one. The elections are in October, and what will that bring? I don't even dare predict. People really have little choice: they seem to be caught in a very narrow triangle between bad, worse, and worst of all. Yet, I know one thing for sure: the gap between the rich and the poor will only widen. And that's a price that will end up in everyone's wallet if politicians continue to avert their eyes from the reality that millions of Dutch people face every day.

^{My own painting}

Back To My Website Work

Now that I've read those ten minutes of news and vented in this blog post, sorry everyone, it's time to get back to my work, getting my website online. And honestly, I'd almost lost my motivation for that... Yet, I'll keep going because it's the only way to create that independent income, and from there, new possibilities open up. Even if political policies work against us. So, clear my head, away from the daily stream of misery and bleak prospects. Focus on what we want to achieve, and somehow, we'll get there. An independent income. And yes, that also requires work... but at least then it's work we enjoy doing, and for ourselves!

^{Yes, I know the pictures have nothing to do with my blog, but at least it gives the blog a little bit of a cheerful note}