I'm trying to figure out what you're trying to add here. I have to do all of those things, I'm in that privileged position partly because I've made it a long term priority at the expense of other things. I don't fault people who aren't in my position, but I encourage them to do the same.
The reason was never politics, but being beholden to a job because of disagreements with your boss, the work you're assigned, or being beholden to specific benefits like health insurance. I see so many people who are miserable because they're forced to do things they don't want. They're not even properly compensated because they can't say no.
> I try hard not to assume or expect this from others, but I very strongly encourage it.
While I personally agree with you that living below your means and having a safety buffer to tell your workplace to fuck off is a great idea. I think it doesn't take most people's reality into account. You and I can do that because we make enough money that "living below our means" is a possibility. For the vast majority of people, that's not an option.
Perhaps I just worded it poorly. I encourage people to make the long-term decision to live below their means so they're not put in that kind of a position. I'm sympathetic to their short-term position and very supportive of changing their long-term position.
The reason was never politics, but being beholden to a job because of disagreements with your boss, the work you're assigned, or being beholden to specific benefits like health insurance. I see so many people who are miserable because they're forced to do things they don't want. They're not even properly compensated because they can't say no.