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Y'all realize that libraries, which we venerate (on the whole) are a GOVERNMENT SERVICE.
We need to venerate government services that level the playing field (bc ACAB).
Just putting this out there. We need to stop talking about how libraries are free. They are not free. I am happy to pay for their services with my tax dollars and I'd be happy to pay for other things like health care etc with my tax dollars so these services are available to EVERYONE.
Edited for a little clarity.
@artcollisions I find complaints about paying taxes to be especially annoying. Do people really dislike having all of our public services to use?
@artcollisions Especially where they're on the front lines of North America's problems and being under attack from all fronts (governments, politicians, publishers, copyright cartel, etc) plus being de-facto social workers and homeless shelters to boot. https://www.axios.com/2024/02/18/libraries-ebooks-hoopla-libby-book-ban-censorship
https://thewalrus.ca/future-of-libraries/
https://buttondown.email/ninelives/archive/the-coming-enshittification-of-public-libraries/
Faux around & find out
@artcollisions You: “We need to venerate all government services.”
Me: For me, no- the “%#€£¥” we don’t! We do not need to blindly venerate the police who are part of the government to be paid to MURDER the innocent! Maybe that’s not what you meant, but that’s how it comes across. And I get it- There are good people who elevate the common good (like a librarian or social healthcare), and they need to be risen up and thanked for the good they do, and for their tireless service and aide. Same for good public school teachers.
But there are also evil & corrupt people in government services that are unethical, commit fraud, waste, and abuse others. Those, those need to be held accountable for what harm they cause - rooted out, and where appropriate- made an example of.
(1/2)
@artcollisions
(2/2) So please- Do not confuse the delivery of “government services” with some weird over riding desire to extol worthy appreciation with the overarching concepts of “saintly sanctification.” Many times, government creates it’s own self-serving bureaucracy, propaganda and pointless procedures. Others, it’s just a person driven to go well above the ethical minimum for the common good.
Venerate the latter if you have a care to, but be equally willing to openly and publicly question the former!
@artcollisions this is exactly why the right is attacking libraries. Liking any part of government is a gateway to appreciating more of it. I fear it is working
@artcollisions There's a simple way to get universal healthcare in the US. Levy a 99% tax on the profits of the health insurance companies.