A Utilitarian values the greatest good (happiness) for the greatest number. Imagine a more generous America: one in which everyone had secure, sufficient income for decent housing, and necessities. None need fear being extremely poor and dependent on others. Government entitles all to an equal limited medical life support, cost determined by a National Life Support Commission.
A more generous society is compatible with great inequality so long as the poorest have the necessities. A generous society would be happier, and more moral. The national debt and a regulated free market are not obstacles! One obstacle, making a lot of people unhappy, is troll's insulting scorn, particularly white supremacy. Corruption of both political parties by private wealth and propaganda are also obstacles.
So many minority Americans are born into poverty and poor educations that their families have less than 10% of the median family wealth of whites. So we're pretty far from a generous society now. Supremacist propaganda faults them for their poverty. Further propaganda is that America hasn't enough wealth, yet the national debt must be paid down soon. This creates a false dilemma: cut taxes (so white earners keep more income) or cut entitlements. Neither political party's platform contradict these assumptions.
Social Democracy is an economic system based on the truth of our collective wealth. Pursuit of it can, without abolishing the market, or severe redistributive taxation, allow great wealth differences, while generously eliminating extreme poverty. Some much less wealthy northern European countries have this system.
Happiness Surveys reveal that citizens of Social Democracies live longer, have more free time, and are happier than Americans! Congress could create tax free, legal tender greenback money. Spent slowly, for living wage jobs in infrastructure and renewal, it could jumpstart a more generous greater happiness.
