I’ve been very happy with GPT4All. It’s open source and privacy-focused by running on your own hardware. It provides a clean GUI for downloading various LLMs to chat with.

For sure, I recognize I have some privileges. This includes the paid-time-off allotted to me by my US employer. However, just like the majority of people, the level of privilege is a mixed bag. With heart complications this year, I managed to max out my health insurance deductible a few months before the end of the year. Unfortunately, instead of covering the full cost of the remaining procedures my doctor requested, the insurance provider decided to reject all of my claims after the deductible. Surely, this is not privilege.

As you said, we should have real conversations about the issues we face. My original comment was to reject the unfair premise of the OP, which purposely chose an above-average vacation paid for by a European company and compared it to a significantly below average US vacation, that coincidentally needed to be fully spent on medical recovery. By providing an opposite and personal US-based example, instead of a biased generalization, I hoped these flaws will be more evident.

Furthermore, I do appreciate your willingness to engage in honest conversation. Your responses did lead me to do some research on actual attempts to make progress with paid-time-off minimums. For the lurkers, the most recent attempt is The Protected Time Off Act, introduced to congress in March of 2024. This would provide a two-week minimum paid leave, accruing after 60 days of employment. Please write to your representatives if you want to see this become law.

Also, for those looking for a solid career without an overpriced college degree, look in into local manufacturing. Stuff is made everywhere, and smaller manufacturers are more likely to value internal experience and, in my opinion, treat their employees well. At my employer it’s not unusual for machine operators to get promotions into technician positions (because they know the machines and processes). For the same reason, it’s not unusual for technicians to enter engineering roles (we design most of our machines in-house).

I appreciate the civil discourse, but please don’t put words in my mouth. I never said that every US employer I’ve ever had has given me six weeks paid leave. If I remember correctly, it took me eight years at this specific employer to max out vacation time within their company. I’ve been there 11 years now. The time-off increases are all laid out in the employee handbook and applicable to everyone, from office staff to machine operators. So clearly, everyone with this amount of time isn’t making $400k, or even six-figures. In reality, I acknowledge that I make less in raw salary than peers in comparable jobs at other employers, but the benefits and company culture are nice here. If I started job hopping, I could definitely find better pay, but I’d start over on benefit accumulation and probably won’t be as happy with the job/employer in general.

That is unfortunate. I would have expected to at least have a federal minimum on lunch breaks. Unless, perhaps, the employee would rather work through lunch or eat at their desk to go home sooner (but that should be entirely optional).

To rephrase, I “dislike” these kind of over-dramatic generalizations that are clearly written to entice an inflammatory response. And sure, 400k per year would definitely be nice.

Without the laws and protection from the government employers will always take advantage of their workers.

Always?

Yeah, 5 days personal and 25 vacation. Though, they definitely don’t start everyone with that much time. If I remember correctly, it takes 8 years to max out vacation time. I’ve been with this employer for 11 years now.

I “don’t get” the USA-bad generalization. There’s still good jobs with good benefits here. It may not be mandatory, but some employers actually treat their employees well.

I don’t get it. I’m American, but I’ll wake up tomorrow, in 2025, with 6 fresh weeks of vacation/personal time, in addition to the 2+ weeks I roll over.

I’m daily driving a '92! ☺️

Suicide is cringe. https://open.spotify.com/track/6oIFhWpxU2ZsHV0ciC8XSv

How do you know Hestkuk’s jacket doesn’t come in 8 colors?

Sh.itjust.works is pretty nice.

With the way you defend the USD, I suspect you have a sizeable investment in it.

It was Nashville, not Uvalde.

Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free Rapid Relief Sensitive Toothpaste FTW!

This is exactly why Obamacare is absolute trash. It forces you to buy into a failed system or pay monthly penalties. For a healthy individual, it’s cheaper to pay put of pocket when necessary, than monthly dues in addition to your “deductable”.

Good. With Israel’s aggression, Iran deserves a nuclear deterrent. Thank you Trump!

Sure, if hubcaps were something to get enraged about. I don’t think that’s remotely comparable, but you do you.

Por que no los dos? I’m free to be disgusted with funeral costs and you’re free to make your point.

It shouldn’t cost $60,000 to bury anyone.