Complaints about authoritarianism honestly feel so disconnected to actual on-the-ground problems. I do not understand how people have the ability to even begin to care about how authoritarian something is as conditions get more and more desperate.

“yo, can I have a living wage to support myself?” no, because doing so would be imposing rules on business owners and that’s authoritarian

“can I at least have inexpensive or free healthcare so I can labor for you more effectively then?” no, because doing so would force insurance companies to make less money and that’s authoritarian

“fine, but please, let’s at least sort out the environment so humanity and massive numbers of species don’t die out” sorry, but we would need to reduce the size of the fossil fuel industry and doing that is government overreach and authoritarian, also we could take solar panels from China but they’re authoritarian

it’s really just the ultimate cudgel. you can use it against literally any idea that anybody proposes that require even the slightest amount of coercion or force, regardless of how good or bad or necessary it actually is. it’s become totally meaningless.

My boss getting to decide my hair color? Not authoritarian. Some suit deciding if I live or die with medicine prices? Not authoritarian. A government that represents my interests making sure I have access to high-speed rail and shelter? Sus, authority, red flag