A Leftist Liberal on GLP, ask me a question

I want to point out to you and seemingly all of GLP, not every liberal or "leftist" is stupid, lazy or wants to strip you of your rights as a human being.
When I was young, 20's (I'm 45 now), I was vehemently socialist, hated rich people, mouthed the platitudes that punk rock taught me.
My Mom was a hard worker all her life, and she had even organized her fellow workers on occasion, not because she was lazy, but because she wanted a safe and fair work environment.
I believed that Union meant professionalism, hard work and sticking up for your fellow workers.
As I started to grow up and make my own way in life, I came to realize, if you want your job tomorrow, work as hard as you can today. I also realized that most people, left or right, don't want to work hard. It's just fact people are as lazy as they can be, and usually the laziest guy on the crew sets the tone for the rest, because who wants to work hard for the same pay as a guy dragging ass.
I gravitated to piecework, where I defined the money I made, and if I didn't like the it I went down the road to another contractor. I guess that's libertarian.
On a larger scale I realized that communism and socialism are always doomed because Stalin ism invariably takes over. Always. Without exception.
The problem is with Ayn Rand style capitalism, yes I have read most of her work, there is a bottom layer that never gets a chance to get of the bottom. Now some people argue that is the nature of existence, just make sure you get off the bottom and evolution sorts out the rest. That's where I still am leftist. I think every one should get an equal shot, and we should help those that dont have an even playing field. Not take away anyone's rights, not degenerate to handouts for all, just a level playing field. I don't want to tax everyone to hell, I just don't see the point in working my entire life for a fascist mega corporation where the bottom dollar is the greatest concern over pollution, human rights, fair business practice whatever. The nastiest worst scum is at the top, weather you want to call them elites, Illuminati or just plain criminals. Almost no-one at the top is a nice guy. I get it, no surprise.
I'm not telling you what to think, or that I'm right and your wrong, I'm just saying I'm not stupid uneducated or unrealistic.