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Comment by ab_testing | Hacker News Reader

But then what is the alternative. If you don't get the car fixed, then you will not be able to commute to work. If you won't work, then you won't be able to pay rent. Isn't the $500 loan then a better alternative than ending up homeless ?

Would'nt it be better to rack up a $500 loan and then try to pay $100 per month so that it can be paid off in 6-9 months - even with 36% interest ?

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The sane alternative is being part of movement of millions of people that pushes for better wages, better working conditions, etc. But no, instead everybody's forced into dealing with their own individual situation(s) as if they are not actually all connected to the greater economic organization picture.

One alternative is the guy who needs a $500 emergency loan gets it at a non-usurius interest rate. The system could be revamped to support easier repayment for actual emergency loans.

> If you don't get the car fixed, then you will not be able to commute to work.

Don't most metro areas have public transit? Perhaps buses are not the most comfortable or convenient, but they do exist, and for good reason.

I would say that it's a pretty substantial portion of the population for whom this is not a serious option.

While true, vehicle dependency is a serious societal problem in North America that needs to be fixed. This is partially the reason. Nobody should need a personal vehicle in order to be able to live a baseline satisfactory life.

Don't disagree, but you won't get a paycheck standing on principle here.

The alternative is a society where nobody is homeless regardless of their income or lack thereof.

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