> If our government provided healthcare, eduction, a real pension program, non-terrible unemployment programs, etc. (as it works in most other developed countries) it would not matter if you are a gig worker or full-time employee.
The issue with most of these things is that governments, especially the US government, are generally worse at providing things than competitive businesses. For people who actually have health insurance, outcomes in the US system are better than in most other countries, the US higher education system is generally considered one of the best in the world, etc.
The key is not to nationalize services, it's to provide a baseline of support. Pay everyone a UBI. Then if you need healthcare, you have money, go buy healthcare. If you want to go to school, go to school. You don't actually need the government to operate the school, and you especially don't need it telling people what to spend the money on. (See also student loans and home loan interest subsidies and the effect on education and housing costs.)
The issue with most of these things is that governments, especially the US government, are generally worse at providing things than competitive businesses. For people who actually have health insurance, outcomes in the US system are better than in most other countries, the US higher education system is generally considered one of the best in the world, etc.
The key is not to nationalize services, it's to provide a baseline of support. Pay everyone a UBI. Then if you need healthcare, you have money, go buy healthcare. If you want to go to school, go to school. You don't actually need the government to operate the school, and you especially don't need it telling people what to spend the money on. (See also student loans and home loan interest subsidies and the effect on education and housing costs.)