You make valid points, but all of this is irrelevant when you consider that you made your career choice, you chose where to live and you chose who to work for. You may not like the choices you made, but they are still your choices. I have been in a situation where I didn't have health insurance. No, I did not expect you to pay for it; it is my responsibility. It's all about personal responsibility, something bleeding hearts know nothing about. There are good jobs available with good insurance. But, you have to move and you are not going to get them with a GED. By the way, FYI, every carpenter I've ever hired is charging more than enough per hour to pay for their health insurance.