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Comment by lazyweb | Hacker News Reader

I see you're somewhat bitter about this topic. Is that a good way to present your argument though?

It seems to me that this kind of sentiment ("I've experienced hardships or know people who did, so why does this group deserve better?") is quite prevalent here in germany as well.

I think this is a common trope among richer countries at least, and probably one of the most effective strategies or rhetoric patterns to stall social progress.

Sometimes I'm catching myself thinking along similar lines, and when I do, I'll try to step back and try to examine why I'm having these thoughts, and if there's actually an argument against having changes like this. Is there any disadvantage for me, or for anyone really?

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I don't think you understand my point.

Labelling something incorrect is what I l'm suggesting what they are doing. To stay relevant. So members keep paying their member fees.

I'm not saying it has any disadvantages to me and that shouldn't matter at all.

Eg. Teachers here in middle school are labeled as a physical heavy profession and receive advantages.

Explain to me what is exactly physical heavy about teaching.

And it's not just that. Working for the government here in general is labeled like that and it's just a reminder of the past ( in my opinion) to keep their benefits ( early and big pension).

Does that disadvantage me? Yes, because I don't have a physical profession. But neither do they.

I think it's more of an insult to those that actually have a heavy physical profession and have potential health problems because of that.

It seems like the issue you’re pointing out relates to how groups get classified in a ‘physical heavy profession’, no? If the requirements are ‘low’ for that, it sounds like the label itself may be inaccurate and causing unnecessary confusion

It's not a one-time misclassified label, it's a continuous loop of unions trying to get more benefits for their "members" at any means possible.

And the sensitivity of some of them would cause a disgrace for any politician to mention ( eg. because yes, teachers are important)

I wouldn't call it inaccurate, but more like deceit.

Misapplying overloaded labels to sneak into benefit pools a group doesn't belong to is the bread-and-butter of bureaucracy. Once a union has solved the problems that lead to members losing fingers, they turn to regulatory capture like this.

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