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Can't Pay, Won't Pay: The Case for Economic Disobedience and Debt Abolition by Debt Collective
bootman's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a fantastic book because it hits you with one of those, “Oh my God. You’re right,” moments as soon as you realize what Taylor is talking about. I honestly haven’t had a moment like that since I first discovered Bernie Sanders and his policy ideas and said, “Yeah. Why is healthcare directly tied to our employment?”. Astra Taylor and her organization argue that we should abolish debt and lays out a multitude of reasons why that is. The current system is set up for debt to accumulate while the rich get richer and wealth inequality gets even worse in our country.
Whenever I hear the word “abolish”, I instantly think the opinions are going to be way too extreme, but Astra Taylor makes an extremely strong argument. She explains how all of these rich corporations have their debt forgiven regularly, but for some reason, we common folk are seen as “irresponsible”. Meanwhile Wall Street is recklessly gambling with the economy, and Taylor even explains how the lack of accountability for these companies has led to contaminated water and health issues for communities.
I still don’t know if I’m on board with eliminating all debt, but I’m a firm believer in fighting for the extreme so we can maybe compromise by getting something reasonable. At the very least, the average American should get the same perks and benefits as these multi-millionaires and multi-billionaires who regularly have their debt forgiven while the rest of us struggle to get by.
Whenever I hear the word “abolish”, I instantly think the opinions are going to be way too extreme, but Astra Taylor makes an extremely strong argument. She explains how all of these rich corporations have their debt forgiven regularly, but for some reason, we common folk are seen as “irresponsible”. Meanwhile Wall Street is recklessly gambling with the economy, and Taylor even explains how the lack of accountability for these companies has led to contaminated water and health issues for communities.
I still don’t know if I’m on board with eliminating all debt, but I’m a firm believer in fighting for the extreme so we can maybe compromise by getting something reasonable. At the very least, the average American should get the same perks and benefits as these multi-millionaires and multi-billionaires who regularly have their debt forgiven while the rest of us struggle to get by.
transtwill's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism
coralcrab77's review
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Good introduction to the issue of debt both nationally and globally. Gave a half point off because I wish there were sources throughout the text, not just the further reading section.
wchereads's review against another edition
5.0
important, eye-opening, timely, and essential. I enjoyed reading this greatly even if what I was learning about was frustrating and enraging. I found the book very accessible and engaging.
brennenpeterson's review
5.0
GOD DAMN, this goes hard. Debt can be such a useful tool, but the good kind of debt isn’t available to most people often enough. Investors, businesses, “entrepreneurs” and other capital owners can use debt to generate great wealth. For everyone else it is just a predatory aspect of the current uber-capitalist system we have. Nobody should be going into unwanted debt because of medical, educational, housing, or imprisonment reasons.
The creation of the credit score is one of the most harmful things American economics has created. The book explains exactly how greedy the Financial and Technology sectors really are. Some terrifying stuff. It’s arguably more important to ones well being to truly understand our current financial environment and how to not get fucked, than anything else discussed today in modern politics.
With the Supreme Courts ruling on Student Debt forgiveness coming within the next week, the Biden Administration resuming Student loan interest starting 60 days after that, and Student loan payments starting back in October, people with student loan debt have an opportunity to hold the economy hostage and force Congress to do something about so much of people’s predatory, unnecessary debt.
The creation of the credit score is one of the most harmful things American economics has created. The book explains exactly how greedy the Financial and Technology sectors really are. Some terrifying stuff. It’s arguably more important to ones well being to truly understand our current financial environment and how to not get fucked, than anything else discussed today in modern politics.
With the Supreme Courts ruling on Student Debt forgiveness coming within the next week, the Biden Administration resuming Student loan interest starting 60 days after that, and Student loan payments starting back in October, people with student loan debt have an opportunity to hold the economy hostage and force Congress to do something about so much of people’s predatory, unnecessary debt.
trippalli's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
An amazing summary of what's wrong with our financial system in the United States, the debt system, how it's been misused the politics and the banking. It really lays it out in a way that makes sense. Definitely an informative book. That is a foundation which I'll use to understand further reading
roguemultiverse's review against another edition
5.0
I didn’t know debt unions were even a thing before I read this. In ways it’s a hard book because of the problems with debt. But in ways it’s comforting and inspiring the fact debtors aren’t alone and en masse can use debt as leverage.