What's the point of society if not to make people's lives better?

[peregrinus]

Greed has always been a problem but what we are witnessing today is unprecedented. Oligarchs and billionaires amassing more power and wealth than they can even imagine. Musk wants to be a trillionaire. And we as a society allow this. What’s the point of paying taxes if paying those taxes gets me no reward in so called codependent society. The only thing I witness is that money going into the pockets of billionaires. This has got to stop. These oligarchs do not have our interests at heart. We need a real society based on compassion and not greed.

[YorkRd]

1. Whose lives better?

I am sure the oligarchs think the societies to make their lives better since they’re so special🤣

[Irish_Dem]

2. Historically, society enabled a small group of people to hold all the power and wealth.

This small group lived in total luxury and privilege while the vast majority barely eked out a living,
most of them living in poverty.

The idea of a more equal society with a more equal distribution of wealth is a modern concept.
The ultra wealthy have always hated this idea, and fought FDR tooth and nail as he tried to implement his polices.

Now the wealthy are going to dismantle the safety net and the idea of equality in any form.
Financial or societal. Women are already in second class status. It is a crime now to save the life of a
dying woman.

[EYESORE 9001]

4. 'Noblesse oblige' is no longer fashionable

They believe they can enslave the world’s population without any social niceties like dispensing crumbs to the hoi polloi.

[Irish_Dem]

5. The election of Trump was all about noblesse oblige.

It could not be more clear or apparent.

The people know exactly who and what Trump represents and voted for it.

Trump has not hidden his desire to be the richest and most powerful man in the world
and the American people handed it to him on a silver platter.

He has never hidden his view that everyone is a sucker and loser except for himself,
inner circle, and family.

[EYESORE 9001]

8. My, how things have changed

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noblesse_oblige

The muskrat is busily contriving to destroy the basic framework of society through ‘austerity’ budgets which will usher in hell on earth for millions.

[Irish_Dem]

9. Yes the richest country in the history of the world will now pretend to be broke.

So broke that the safety net must be destroyed.
Healthcare, education, SS, medicare will all be cut.

All turned over to private companies owned by billionaires who will pocket most of the money.

Of course we can still afford all the tax cuts to the billionaires.
And funding a boondoggle to put a man on Mars.

And to pay the salaries, perks, benefits to the privileged politicians.

[EYESORE 9001]

10. And putting chips in our brains

Neuralink is more than playing games ‘telepathically’. He’s got plans for everyone.

[Irish_Dem]

11. Nothing would surprise me in our new dystopian world.

[travelingthrulife]

7. Very well said.

[gab13by13]

3. Tax dollars make the lives better

for the working class and the poor. Taxes also makes society better, but the 1% doesn't give a shit about the unwashed or about society, they live in a bubble.

Billionaires and oligarchs have so much money, have so much privilege, that that have lost sight of what is precious.

[alarimer]

6. According to Margaret Thatcher, there is no society.

So, some people at least believe there is no obligation to make people's lives better.

This is the Gilded Age all over again. Lots of new rich people, and lots and lots of poor people.

[raccoon]

12. To make the billionaires richer? Seriously,

I totally agree with you.

[eppur_se_muova]

13. Perhaps a better question, what purpose do the very rich serve ?

If they can't help others, what use are they ? And why should their continued enrichment, or even existence, be tolerated ? Society cannot afford to keep supporting these self-indulgent narcissists, but they have purchased so many legislators -- and one political party outright -- that attempts to impose even moderate controls on their excesses are blocked.

Capitalism is not the answer here, nor is it really the problem -- it is the permissiveness of elected officials who kowtow to anyone who will fund their campaigns. Campaign finance reform has been deferred for too long.

Many conspiracy theorists believe that there is a secret cure for cancer, or a cheap energy source, or some other magical technology that the rich and powerful are keeping secret to themselves while the rest of the population suffers. Campaign finance reform is the one actual "secret cure" that is sitting on the shelf in plain sight, with those able to reach it declilning to use it.