Old formula of success

When the economy is doing well. When there is full employment. When income is going up and up, the old formula that nothing is for free, that all govt services and essential services must operate on a profit basis seem so logical and so effective. But can the same formula continue unabated, without ill effects? The economy is still doing well, jobs are aplenty, so they said. But are the income going up and up? Yes, if one is in the top 20% of the workforce. But for many, the income increase is too little, and to many, hardly any increase, to keep up with all the increases and inflation. In fact many at the bottom are experiencing a shrinking income. The lemon has been squeezed to the point of becoming a pulp. The income of the lower end, even the self employed, have been hit by either lower revenue or higher cost. Even the taxi drivers are being squeezed by the higher cost of rental and petrol. This is a last choice occupation when all else fails. Workers, even professionals, who cannot find employment will find driving taxis and other self employed occupation as a way out. Occupations that they have to work to pay themselves. But as these people keep downgrading, lowering their expectations, they are still being constantly squeezed and their income shrinking while expenses only go up and up. The quality of life of the people at the lower end has been stagnant for many years. There were growth years and improvements in the 70s and 80s. Since the 90s, one can hardly see any betterment. All are struggling to live day to day, trying to make ends meet. And all the public services only think of nothing but hike in their fees and charges. Squeeze them dry, every drop counts.