I think this is a really important topic for poets. I believe that part of our role - our job? - as poets is to question the world by using our ability to take a different perspective on things, implicitly question the status quo. Why do we do what we do? Why do we not do what we might otherwise do?
Why do we have to sell our souls when we work? It is not work per se that is the problem, but the system that puts money above human values in order of importance.
Schumacher, in his book Small is Beautiful, reminded us of the Buddhist view of work. In order of priorities, it is:
First, to enable people to utilise and develop their faculties; secondly, to enable us to share with others in common tasks; and third in order of importance, to bring forth the goods and services needed for a becoming existence.
Our current system, our culture (the stuff that influences our behaviour) encourages the view, not that money is necessary for happiness, but that MORE money is necessary. The system needs us to be dissatisfied, to want more, so that we buy the tat, the gizmos, the technological must-haves, the cars... that, we are told, will make us happier.
To be satisifed with just a little, if everyone was satisified with a modest income, the system would collapse. I see the whole thing as one big pyramid selling scam. The emperor's new clothes, with the unacceptable face of capitalism as the emperor.
That's why, in our small way, we are all doing something by writing about our take on the world and encouraging others to do so, to realise that the way things are, are not 'givens' and can be viewed from different perspectives.
Blimey, look what you have done to me Sophie!
That's the last time I write comedy.
Julian

Here is my pennyworth (boo hiss).

Money is a false economy.