Love Gov: “Too Real”?

As part of our recent exhibit at the FreedomFest conference, we continuously screened our new online video series Love Gov.

If you haven’t had a chance to watch it yet, each of the approximately 5-minute episodes deals with one of the five key issues that the Harvard Institute of Politics, Pew Research, and other polls have revealed as of greatest concern to Millennials: tuition loan debt (Episode 1), employment/unemployment (Episode 2), the cost of health insurance (Episode 3), the cost of housing (Episode 4), and government spying/surveillance (Episode 5).

The series attracted a lot of attention from the FreedomFest attendees, who praised its high quality, and were generally laughing in the aisles.

All except one young woman, whom I’ll call Jane. I listened at length as Jane told me how her life parallels that of “Alexis,” in Love Gov.

Jane owns her own condo, out of which she operates a small business with one employee, her best friend. Contrary to Obama’s promises, her health plan was cancelled, and her insurance agent referred her to the state exchange. The best plan she could afford is a Bronze plan, with a $6,000 deductible, at a cost $50 per month higher than her previous plan that had no such deductible. Meanwhile, her employee, whose income is slightly below Jane’s, qualifies for a subsidy and has a Silver plan, with a lower cost and lower deductible.

Jane’s business, which provides marketing services, utilizes independent contractors to provide graphic design and other services. She’s currently under investigation by her state’s Labor Board to determine whether it will rule these contractors “employees,” with overtime and benefit obligations accruing to Jane. If the ruling goes against her, she’s out of business.

Jane drives a 10 year-old car, and has some health issues—which leaves her worrying that she’s one major car repair or one out-of-pocket health expense from losing her mortgaged condo. She keeps her expenses to a minimum, and just hopes for good fortune.

In summary, Jane told me, “I’m 39 years old and I’m living like a college student. It seems like there’s always another barrier.”

Yes, Jane, as Alexis discovered almost too late: that barrier is Gov.

I can understand that Jane doesn’t find Love Gov funny. But it’s also true that satire only “works” to the extent that it accurately reflects truth.

Sounds as if Love Gov hits its mark.

Watch Love Gov and see if you agree that it’s all too true. If so, please let us know how Gov is affecting your life, Share the videos, and encourage everyone to download and use the MyGovCost App in becoming better informed and getting engaged.

Let’s put an end to Gov’s abusive ways.