Quirky Behaviors Caused By 'The System' and 10 Solutions

Please, allow me to go on some Andy Rooney-esque rants to explain some quirks to living under a rotten system (and if you wish to see the less rant-oriented "solutions" part of this text, just scroll down and you'll see the list).

I begin with this: the system inspires and normalizes plenty of quirky behaviors. For example, on YouTube videos, some content creators who "borrow" content will write in the description, "No copyright infringement intended," suggesting their actions are legal simply because they don't intend them to be illegal. Ironically, this actually makes the content creator more likely to get in trouble, as it implies their awareness that they could be perceived as violating copyright laws. They would probably be better off saying nothing at all!

If you're one of these content creators, relax. I'm not here to make fun of you or give you a hard time. I'm really only interested in looking at quirky patterns of behavior caused by "the system." That's a kinder, quirkier example than some others.

Another example: there are those on welfare, and some on unemployment benefits, who will take as much money as they can because they're not expected to pay it back. Don't worry, I'm not judging you if this has been your situation. I've been on unemployment myself and could end up there again, especially if the economy tanks. But if you rely on just that one source of income and it gets yanked away or quickly depleted, what happens then? You could be in trouble. Add to that the fact that unemployment benefits are usually taxed and, well, you see the problem.

However, if you get a side job or work under the table, you may be getting into even more trouble. See how that works? They might have you scrambling—and all because you weren’t born with rich parents! In truth, it’s always better not to put all your eggs in one basket. Work those side jobs, do what you have to do, because if you have only one income source and it disappears, you might be in a world of hurt.

Speaking of scrambling, it reminds me of all this “employment-at-will” stuff, which seemingly 9 out of 10 employers prefer. Basically, that means the company can hire or fire you for any reason—or no reason at all—and you often can’t do anything about it. Sure, you can technically claim discrimination, especially if there’s some evidence in your favor, but good luck proving that in court (especially if you can’t afford a high-priced lawyer)!

Also, let’s go back to welfare, and how often right-wingers will demonize welfare recipients as “cheats.” First off, when it comes down to it, they're essentially insulting you—viciously—if you ended up with nowhere to turn but government assistance. How does that make you feel? Second, anyone with brains knows corporate welfare is alive and well. Even right-wing libertarians (or maybe I should say “Libertarians”) recognize this and lament it—but seemingly not the majority of Republicans. And what about those Republicans? What a crew.

Republicans bad-mouth taxation endlessly, calling it forced government spending that takes from taxpayers without asking. Right?

Now, that could be a fair enough critique on its own—if it were a general political stance against government overreach or the nature of taxation itself. But what about military spending and bloated defense budgets? The principle of taking without asking doesn’t go away then, does it? Well, to a fair-minded, thinking person, it doesn’t. To a mainstream, hypocritical, harebrained Republican, it’s not even a double standard worth noticing—even though the Pentagon budget involves trillions of dollars.

This double standard is just accepted. If not officially, then casually, with a single nod or a stare. It’s as if pro-military “patriotism” blocks out critical thinking and basic logic entirely.

On that note, let’s think about theft—and a perfectly non-radical view of what could happen if we let it run rampant. If the government were to stand by idly as citizens stole at will, the system would be in chaos from the start, right? They’d surely send in cops to bust some heads, claiming they’re protecting dignity and restoring order.

That may be all fine and good, but what about our own government’s ability to stomp around the globe — bombing cities, destroying infrastructure, enforcing deadly sanctions, installing dictators and armed groups — all in the name of freedom, national security, law and order?

Is this a system that’s really interested in law and order? Preventing violence? Preserving stability? Preventing theft? Assuring healthy and just outcomes for all? If so, it has a funny way of showing it. The U.S. wrecked Iraq under the banner of bringing democracy and rainbows, puppy dogs, and lollipops!

By now, you know what I’m driving at.

The system has encouraged bizarre, quirky, destructive behavior —individually and collectively — since the beginning. All governments have. I don’t say this just as a leftist, or someone who’s read a few radical texts, or out of some utopian fantasy. I say it because it’s objectively true. These double standards and violent quirks are baked into the system. So how do you create oversight for something that’s so deeply broken?

To create real oversight would take decades and require an organization with actual power. To make government more just, it would need to be reduced to a shadow of its former self. That “babysitter” organization would need broad public support, not just the blessing of a few overreaching oligarchs. And if you try to start this transformation, where do you even begin? How do you do it without being dismissed as an extremist crackpot? Mommy and daddy aren’t going to do this research for you.

There are a whole lot of people in government, working their jobs — some lazily, some faithfully — and earning their pensions. To gain their trust would require long-term credibility, something most political movements don’t have. And some people higher up the ladder will —not might, but will— seek to bring that movement down.

Still, here are 10 ways to address some of the "quirks" I mention above:

1. End Employment-at-Will Nationwide

Problem: Employers can fire workers for any reason (or none).

Reform: Replace at-will employment with just cause laws, requiring employers to show a valid reason for termination. Several states and countries already do this.

2. Universal Basic Income (UBI) Pilot Programs

Problem: Welfare is stigmatized and conditional; people fall through the cracks.

Reform: Launch UBI pilots with long-term federal funding to test unconditional monthly payments to all citizens, removing bureaucratic complexity and reducing poverty traps.

3. Tax the Rich — For Real

Problem: Corporate welfare and regressive tax structures fuel inequality.

Reform: Implement a wealth tax, close loopholes, raise capital gains taxes, and enforce minimum corporate tax rates. Redirect funds away from subsidies for mega-corporations.

4. Slash the Defense Budget

Problem: Military spending gets a pass while social programs get scrutinized.

Reform: Cut Pentagon spending by at least 50%, end overseas bases where unnecessary, and redirect funds to domestic infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

5. Enact Transparent Government Oversight Bodies

Problem: Lack of accountability fuels corruption and double standards.

Reform: Create independent watchdog agencies with subpoena power, not answerable to political appointees, to monitor lobbying, campaign finance, and military contracting.

6. Campaign Finance Reform

Problem: Oligarchs and corporations buy influence.

Reform: Overturn Citizens United, cap individual donations, publicly fund campaigns, and outlaw dark money super PACs. Restore a level playing field in elections.

7. Strengthen Whistleblower Protections

Problem: People trying to expose government or corporate abuse get crushed.

Reform: Expand protections, reward public-interest whistleblowing, and criminalize retaliatory firings or lawsuits.

8. End Corporate Personhood

Problem: Corporations enjoy the rights of people with none of the same responsibilities.

Reform: Amend the Constitution or reinterpret legal precedent to deny corporations First Amendment "speech" rights used to justify political spending.

9. Institute a Fair and Transparent Welfare System

Problem: Welfare is overly complex, punitive, and stigmatized.

Reform: Simplify access, reduce paperwork, remove asset limits, and eliminate the "work requirement" myth. Treat welfare as a right, not a handout.

10. Establish a People's Policy Board

Problem: Public input gets filtered through party elites and lobbyists.

Reform: Create a randomly selected, rotating group of citizens (sortition) who review and comment on major federal legislation before passage—like a jury duty for democracy.