I would agree that employment is a false sense of security. Unfortunately, for most people, their job is there only source of significant income. Without the illusion of job security, the economy (and your business) will suffer. When confidence falters (whether consumer, bank, mfg. etc.) it tends to sprial and take the entire economy down. What is our free market solution to this? Stimulus checks, federal reserve “loans” to prop the credit markets, tax breaks for homebuilders, etc. etc. etc. My point is that many business owners have no problem accepting “socialist” programs when it benefits them directly. In my opinion, in a mixed economy such as the US, corporate welfare and entitlements to ensure systemic functioning are no different then individual entitlements (whether perceived are real) in the functioning of the system.
As you put it, we are a society that believes in job stability (barring poor personal performance or severe company/economic problems). This job stability and wage indexing to inflation is not a governmental mandate or initial influence as our fathers (and grandfathers) worked for a few companies their entire life. Loyalty was expected on both sides. I think a shift has occurred where employees now realize there isn’t as much stability, and that employers view “at will” as a goal (outsourcing/automation) vs. an insurance policy for poor performance. Thus the entitlement is more due to historical precedent than gov’t bloat. The globalization issue plays a large part, and both sides have compelling arguments, and unfortunately, “how can we compete” comes down to the lowest common denominator. Another issue is that the US employee is also the primary global consumer, creating all kinds of feedback loops when wages, outsourcing, etc. are accounted for.
As for education, you do have a choice. Consuming education is legislated, but not the provider per se. You could homeschool your kids, or hire a private tutor, thus bypassing the Teachers Union. As far as taxes, vouchers can be used, though I am no expert, and I do not know the degree of offset these provide. You could also move to the Cayman islands and avoid most taxes & educational mandates. The point being is you do have a choice, and I would argue much more of a choice then with the oil industry. All the options you mention require substituting one oil product for another, albeit indirectly. Bikes save alot of oil/gas, but you will be riding on asphalt made from oil, constructed from oil, etc. Your home closer to work required substantial oil to construct (wool carpets notwithstanding), your groceries most likely used more oil by weight, (to process, package, transport) then their mass. So how much choice do you actually have?
