Let's exploit them, both dead and alive!

When living is already a struggle in itself, even the deceased have become an expense for the citizen. While people used to say of the very elderly or the terminally ill, "May God release them from one of the two worlds," now the perspective has shifted to, "I hope they don't die and create an expense."  

For instance, grave plot prices in Istanbul are going up!

A 60 percent price hike has been approved for cemeteries in the first group, such as Karacaahmet, Nakkaştepe, Zincirlikuyu, and Aşiyan. Don't ask if there can even be a "first-class" grave; that is a topic for another article, which we will surely cover... But the real issue is that even dying in Istanbul has become very expensive. 

Starting January 1, 2025, empty grave plots will be sold at rates ranging from 7 thousand 152 liras to 111 thousand 632 liras, depending on the group they belong to!

The decision for the hike was also passed unanimously in the IMM assembly...

It seems citizens are viewed as objects to be exploited, whether dead or alive. Since you aren't dying, they have started a brand new practice, saying, "We will benefit from you while you are alive": "Spending limits!"

For example, you go to a venue to have tea. The venue says, "No way! You can't just drink a cup of tea and occupy my table. There is a limit you have to spend. You must spend at least 1500 liras. Even if you don't eat or drink, you have to pay 1500 liras for a cup of tea..."

According to the November research by the IPA (Istanbul Planning Agency), the cost of living in Istanbul is 75 thousand 717 liras. It is unknown whether this includes the spending limit or if grave prices were calculated, but a citizen earning minimum wage in Istanbul cannot afford to live, let alone die. 

While a minimum wage earner in developed countries can cover their living expenses, if we cannot even cover the costs of death, the urgent priority must be to bring prosperity to the people. The citizen on the street neither wants to pray in Damascus nor is tearing themselves apart over whether İmamoğlu or Yavaş will be a candidate. 

The citizen's concern is first to keep the pot boiling at home.

And then, to protect their youth, who are at risk of being dragged into illegal activities, gambling, and prostitution in the hope of a more comfortable life.

Listen to the voices of the youth on the street. Most are unemployed but do not want to work for minimum wage. Making money the easy way seems more attractive. This is the greatest worry for mothers and fathers. Haven't we seen examples of this in many countries around the world where the economy has collapsed? Isn't this the real danger? 

Instead of current calculations, we must make our plans based on the youth. Otherwise, our future will be left in the hands of a lost generation...