Reason I’m asking is because I have an aunt that owns like maybe 3 - 5 (not sure the exact amount) small townhouses around the city (well, when I say “city” think of like the areas around a city where theres no tall buildings, but only small 2-3 stories single family homes in the neighborhood) and have these houses up for rent, and honestly, my aunt and her husband doesn’t seem like a terrible people. They still work a normal job, and have to pay taxes like everyone else have to. They still have their own debts to pay. I’m not sure exactly how, but my parents say they did a combination of saving up money and taking loans from banks to be able to buy these properties, fix them, then put them up for rent. They don’t overcharge, and usually charge slightly below the market to retain tenants, and fix things (or hire people to fix things) when their tenants request them.
I mean, they are just trying to survive in this capitalistic world. They wanna save up for retirement, and fund their kids to college, and leave something for their kids, so they have less of stress in life. I don’t see them as bad people. I mean, its not like they own multiple apartment buildings, or doing excessive wealth hoarding.
Do leftists mean people like my aunt too? Or are they an exception to the “landlords are bad” sentinment?
As an sp member in the UK I can give you the parties stance. We aren’t going after small business. Your aunt while not giving to society and being a member of the owning class is more a symptom of capitalism and under a socialist programme she would not need to degrade others to live a fulfilling life. Dignity should be afforded to all but we also understand that material conditions govern us.
We go after bigger issues than your aunt.
Yea that makes sense. Under socialism, retirement funds would be guaranteed and their kids would have free university, and Universal Basic Income would guarantee money to survive even if they lose thier jobs.
So its really just capitalism forcing people to do evil things to survive. Get rid of capitalism, and nobody (such as my aunt) needs to think of “being a landlord” as a way to survive.
Essentially yes.
We aren’t blood thirsty ghoul’s like right wingers will have people believe and even that sentiment goes to show the right wingers acting within their class interest as systemically its beneficial to appose the lower classes, socialists, communist and whatever label.
As it is within my class interest to pay less rent.