From a historian I read about, years ago, Joseph was not a lowly carpenter. He was a revered Architect and we may think that Mary riding an ass was a sign of poverty. If ANYONE had an ass back then, it was a sign of affluence to what degree I know not. The manger story could be very real but the innkeeper probably did NOT give them the space free gratis, it was simply every place was full up. Joseph left Bethlehem for a job in Egypt which saved his life at that time. Jesus’ time was unrelated for a long time was due to Joseph of Arithamia (taking Him to England and througout the known world.) Joseph of Arithamea was at that time, the richest man in the world, supposedly. There are supposedly records of this in Vatican.
Pete Buttgigger is a refugee from reality. He has climbed the fence of denial, topped off with the barbed wire of idiocy and now expects to be on the government freebie dole for the rest of his life.
In his relationship, he is akin to Mary...riding someone’s ass to achieve a stable relationship.