40 years ago I was in high school in Houston, washing dishes at Denny’s on the weekends. I was a really great dishwasher, leading to life long OCD about having a clean kitchen. But I digress.

There was a couple that worked there, Tim (a cook) and his waitress wife….(I think Vicky, but there was another Vicky and I might have them mixed up). Tim was always super-ass grumpy. He would pratically throw the half-filled sauce steamers into the sink closest to the kitchen almost angry and (to my young mind) with the intent to make as much mess as possible.

It only occurred to me years later that Tim and Vicky, near or for her below minimum wage, with a crappy car and a toddler were barely hanging on. Of course he was always grumpy. Having some jock kid singing Bohemian Rhapsody while washing dishes for gas and car parts money, knowing he’s going off to college in a few years I’m sure didn’t help his mood any. And the economy back then was much better in general than it is now.

I feel for all the Vickys and Tims. You’re 100% right that they are thinking of their families and not about activism. Of course, the oligarchs want to set up exactly that scenario, where the serfs are too fucking tired after working two or three jobs to keep a roof over their heads to have the energy to fight the system.