The Smoking Chair

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economic inequality

Illustration of a chained man symbolizing the oppressive nature of merit-based welfare systems

When “Earned” Welfare Becomes Chains: The Hidden Slavery of Merit-Based Aid

May 14, 2025

Welfare that must be “earned” isn’t help—it’s a leash. This article exposes how merit-based aid mirrors the logic of slavery and traps people in cycles of forced labor.

The Soaring Cost of Higher Education: A Crisis Unfolding

October 24, 2023

Explore the reasons behind the soaring cost of higher education, its implications for students and society, and potential solutions to address this crisis. Learn about the impact of student debt and the push for more affordable education.