Having needs is not the same as slavery. Wage slavery is described as such because of the power imbalance between employer and worker, who has limited agency to find another employer, with whom he would also have a relationship with a power imbalance.

A wealthy man who receives a check for dividends and interest most months is not subject to such power imbalances. Wealth makes him free.

It's not an argument that socialism would enable people to just live off a public dividend, so to speak. Somebody has to work, and workplaces require discipline. Rather it's an argument for better labor safety controls, and a personal appeal to people to save as much money as they can.

that may be so, but a stack of bills or small bag of coins is sure easier to cart around than things I can eat are.

It's 30F outside right now, and I can live a lot longer without food than without shelter.

You are just playing at word games. The system is trapping the have-nots into unpleasant, lifelong conditions, and that's what "wage slave" means. As you know.