Making the connection. Does anyone think about consequences of free stuff, of someone paying less or giving more to others?

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Should we make healthcare “free”? Should the minimum wage be increased? Should we eliminate tipping and raise pay? Should seniors be exempt from property taxes? Should teachers be paid on par with doctors? Should CEO pay be limited to a lower multiple of worker pay? Should college be free? Should we limit the ability for landlords to raise rents.

These and many similar ideas pop up on social media (and from politicians) all the time. Sometimes they are refuted, but too often they gain many supportive comments. 

Needless to say, nothing is free. We all know that but it doesn’t stop selling ideas because using the words “included in taxes” doesn’t go over well. 

Many times the justification is stated as fact when it isn’t. I recently read a post saying the average McDonald’s franchisee make $400,000 a year so they can simply raise wages. The actual average gross income is between $150,000 and $200,000. 

Everything has consequences some good, some bad, often unintended.

I especially like the ideas that give more to seniors – included me. Exempt me from paying for schools in my property taxes.  NJ  just passed a law that beginning in 2026 age 65 and over property tax bills will be cut in half – up to $6,000 as long as their income is not more than $400,000 – no problem I’ll take. Who is picking up the slack?

Raise wages =  higher prices or lower profits = lower profits and stock prices decline. No impact on my retirement investments?

Lower taxes for a segment of the population = someone else pays more. Limit rents = property maintenance suffers. Increase the minimum wage = salary compression results with higher pay demanded up the line. Raise teacher pay and benefits = higher property taxes (except for we seniors who have been made exempt😎). 

I find the idea of forgiving student loans fascinating. If all existing loans were forgiven today, what happens with the loans my grandson is taking starting next month? Opps. 

All this is or should be obvious, no spreadsheet required and yet we press on with solutions to what are perceived as problems to solve without  a holistic strategy and without regard to consequences or practicality.