Imagine a world where business had to really actually compete for workers.
Wonder what that world would look like?
Most people who propose this will then get angry when the company has to double their prices and you are essentially paying double or triple the amount for everything (since there are lots of workers in the supply chain that would get this boost in healthcare and $$$).
"they could afford to put their kids through college"
You can blame the federal government for this. The fact that anyone can get a college loan and the loan follows the student virtually for life, means colleges don't really care if you learn anything or even if you have the ability to get a job. They get their money immediately and the student is on the hook for the loan.
Loans should go directly through the university and not through the federal government. They will then have to care if a student can ever pay them back because if they don't, they won't get their money.
"Imagine a world where business had to really actually compete for workers"
Most industries compete for workers. If you don't have any specialized skill and anyone with a pulse can do your job, there will be no competition and the company will have the advantage. To ignore this (or prop it up artificially) is ignoring reality.
We should be more focused on educating workers so they can provide a value and compete in the marketplace.
"Wonder what that world would look like?"
Much different than now. Most things we enjoy now would only be enjoyed by the very wealthy. The middle class would be squeezed to a sliver.
But it would be nice if everyone was healthier
> FIRE refers to a sector of the economy composed of finance, insurance, and real estate