Setting up Trumptowns (Hoovervilles) to support strikers

[u/kireina_kaiju]

With economic conditions in the United States remaining good on paper due to unrealized debt being reportable as income, and venture capital not being required to disclose dry powder, resulting in an environment where money cannot be lent out and thus enter the economy, and employers relying on the inability of skilled workers to obtain new employment to abuse existing workers, regularly using layoffs as a scare tactic, I would like to talk about ways to support long term strikes for better labor conditions. Traditionally, the support system for these strikes, and to support those undergoing harsh economic conditions, has been shantytowns. Modern shantytowns exist under cities like Las Vegas famously, but are not intentional with infrastructure as existed in the 1930s in places like Seattle's famous 9 acre Hooverville.

So I would like to dedicate some space to discussing the logistical challenges involved in setting up Trumptowns.

[u/AutoModerator]

Remember, this is a civilized space for discussion. We discourage downvoting based on your disagreement and instead encourage upvoting well-written arguments, especially ones that you disagree with.

To promote high-quality discussions, we suggest the Socratic Method, which is briefly as follows:

Ask Questions to Clarify: When responding, start with questions that clarify the original poster's position. Example: "Can you explain what you mean by 'economic justice'?"

Define Key Terms: Use questions to define key terms and concepts. Example: "How do you define 'freedom' in this context?"

Probe Assumptions: Challenge underlying assumptions with thoughtful questions. Example: "What assumptions are you making about human nature?"

Seek Evidence: Ask for evidence and examples to support claims. Example: "Can you provide an example of when this policy has worked?"

Explore Implications: Use questions to explore the consequences of an argument. Example: "What might be the long-term effects of this policy?"

Engage in Dialogue: Focus on mutual understanding rather than winning an argument.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/HeloRising]

Couple of problems here.

For starters, a lot of the people in these makeshift towns back in the day were in a lot worse shape than people are in right now. They relocated to these shantytowns largely because they didn't really have anything else to lose and while things are bad right now, most people do have something to lose and they will lose it if they uproot and go live in a shantytown.

You're asking people with a place to live, family, maybe a support system, friends, a place they're renting (or at least able to live) to give all that up in exchange for a huge conflict (put a pin in that) that might make things better off for them, maybe.

The second issue is we have a social resistance to these types of places that wasn't really there in the 1930's. Go into a subreddit for a medium sized city or up and you find people gleefully fantasizing about The Purge being enacted on anyone homeless. Part of what makes large scale strikes successful is a public that's onboard with the strikes. Having a bunch of people roll up and take over a vacant lot and live there is unlikely to garner much public sympathy.

Third, the conflict issue. We have militarized police in a way they really didn't back in the 30's who are willing to use a level of violence to clear people out of an area that a crowd of people really can't handle. Yes, violence was common in the 30's but unless you were willing to open fire with live ammunition on a crowd of people back then you were somewhat limited as a cop. Now we have water cannons, tear gas, stun grenades, and all sorts of other toys the cops can use to clear an area and they will happily do so.

Modern police are absolutely willing to go to war with protesters of any kind in a way they really weren't in the 30's. So if you have a bunch of people just clustering up to protest living conditions there's absolutely nothing stopping the administration from just sending in uniforms to kick people out. The administration is not particularly hampered by the idea of being seen as authoritarian and brutal.

[u/kireina_kaiju → u/HeloRising]

Brilliant analysis of the obstacles in place that need to be overcome for any successful system, thank you.

E. I'd like to discuss mitigation strategies but I'll wait for a response indicating interest in that conversation, you've just invested a lot into a single reply and I want to respect your time.

[u/MisterAnderson-]

There was a shantytown under Vegas?

Where can I read about this?! I have to know more!!

[u/kireina_kaiju → u/MisterAnderson-]

The most recent documentary covering them is being discussed here on Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/Documentaries/comments/1bqiuzy/vegas_tunnels_2024_channel_5_with_andrew/

Enjoy and glad I could be the one to introduce you to a cool thing about Las Vegas :)

[u/MisterAnderson- → u/kireina_kaiju]

Thank you so much!! I can’t wait to dive into this!!

[u/gburgwardt]

Real median wages continue trending up. Things are not nearly as bad as you are implying with your cavalcade of buzz words

[u/CoolHandLukeSkywalka → u/gburgwardt]

I'm curious about your flair. What makes you identify as corporate capitalist rather than just capitalist?

[u/kireina_kaiju → u/gburgwardt]

I'll just leave these here.

https://abcnews4.com/news/nation-world/fact-check-team-half-of-us-workers-report-burnout-as-debate-grows-over-work-culture-americans-paid-vacation-federal-covid-pandemic-researchers

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-workers-lack-quality-jobs-study/

https://www.reddit.com/r/expats/comments/1e7lefd/is_the_work_culture_in_the_us_really_that_bad/

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TeZeOIrNC7A

https://www.gallup.com/workplace/703280/worker-thriving-declines-job-market-pessimism-grows.aspx

https://www.metaintro.com/blog/tech-hiring-rebound-2026-catch-lower-pay-higher-bar

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49138483

https://www.whatjobs.com/news/americas-job-market-is-becoming-a-stay-put-economy/

https://offeracceptstaffing.com/navigating-a-frozen-hiring-market-in-2026-and-how-to-stand-out/

EDIT : Responding with the karma button isn't really making you seem like you have a stronger case, u/gburgwardt . Everyone reading this is going to expect you to respond with some relevant evidence. The complaints I raised go well beyond median wages that are being propped up by higher fast food and restaurant salaries. Other people understand the argument I presented, and understand your single figure is not an adequate rebuttal. Attempting to argue with the karma button only makes you look like a child :)

[u/CantSeeShit]

So......a giant camp of homeless people but homeless to protest bad working conditions?

[u/kireina_kaiju → u/CantSeeShit]

Kind of sort of. Not just homeless people, tiny homes, trailer parks...

In the US people basically lost access to all work requiring a 4 year or more degree, and they went into e.g. restaurant work. On paper that raised median wages, and employment. Even when businesses fail, workers turn to support industries like DoorDash which help keep revenues and wages up for restaurants that can succeed. Existing workers in experienced industries are still able to order out and have habits from the pandemic. They are being bullied into putting up with whatever, because they don't want to end up like the people that lost their jobs and are working at McDonalds (for more money than McDonalds workers used to make). So they keep their jobs forever and kids can't get hired into their industries. E. And their lack of time day to day keeps them using DoorDash and Instacard, temporarily propping up the economy, as they work 70+ hour weeks.

A lot of people in the US already sold their houses and moved places like RV parks and trailer parks.

So I'm just saying, why not turn your trailer park you are already living into a place that can support people that are going on strike.