“We Are the 53%”: The Other Side of the Wall Street Protests
COMMENTARY | With so many cities around the world jumping on the Wall Street Protest and I am the 99 percent bandwagon, there are those, like myself, who have not joined in on this protest. Quite a few people have posted their own protest notes on Tumblr, I read through them.
The 53 percenters believe hard work, taxes, and not having someone pay your way is the American dream. Like all those who are living in the 53 percent, I live there too. I have worked since I was 14 like a 23-year-old in this protest. The difference between this young person and myself is I am 47 years old.
I mowed yards and babysat when I was 14 through my senior year in high school. That year I also worked part-time at a small mom and pop burger joint. After graduating high school, I didn't go to college. I continued working.
Some of this group comes from large families who have either a high school education or just short of that. There are others who have taken out student loans to further their education and will pay their loans off not matter what. Like my parents before me and their parents before them, we are public school educated. While I can sit all day will I do my work that I get paid for at home, the public school system gave me the knowledge to do the work I do today. This has been my dream.
I did go to cosmetology school and took out student loans to pay for it. I paid off my student loans without a qualm.
Those who talk about paying their bills work what and where they can to pay the bills. Their bills consist of food, lodging, car payments, taxes, and medical bills along with their student loans for those who have incurred this debt. For others, credit card debt has replaced the student loans.
I bought a car. Paid a huge chunk of the car off with the money I saved from all those jobs I had before graduating high school. I took a loan out on the car and paid it off.
Not only that I pay my credit card payments and my house loan along with all the other regular bills I need to pay to survive. I pay my taxes. I don't expect anyone to pay my bills but me. Like those of the 53 percent movement, I believe in hard work, paying my way, and living like an adult. This is what has the 53 percent taking the high road against the Wall Street protests.
The 53 percenters believe hard work, taxes, and not having someone pay your way is the American dream. Like all those who are living in the 53 percent, I live there too. I have worked since I was 14 like a 23-year-old in this protest. The difference between this young person and myself is I am 47 years old.
I mowed yards and babysat when I was 14 through my senior year in high school. That year I also worked part-time at a small mom and pop burger joint. After graduating high school, I didn't go to college. I continued working.
Some of this group comes from large families who have either a high school education or just short of that. There are others who have taken out student loans to further their education and will pay their loans off not matter what. Like my parents before me and their parents before them, we are public school educated. While I can sit all day will I do my work that I get paid for at home, the public school system gave me the knowledge to do the work I do today. This has been my dream.
I did go to cosmetology school and took out student loans to pay for it. I paid off my student loans without a qualm.
Those who talk about paying their bills work what and where they can to pay the bills. Their bills consist of food, lodging, car payments, taxes, and medical bills along with their student loans for those who have incurred this debt. For others, credit card debt has replaced the student loans.
I bought a car. Paid a huge chunk of the car off with the money I saved from all those jobs I had before graduating high school. I took a loan out on the car and paid it off.
Not only that I pay my credit card payments and my house loan along with all the other regular bills I need to pay to survive. I pay my taxes. I don't expect anyone to pay my bills but me. Like those of the 53 percent movement, I believe in hard work, paying my way, and living like an adult. This is what has the 53 percent taking the high road against the Wall Street protests.
Published by Karen Barnes
Karen is an online marketer, freelance writer, online game player, crafter, mother, wife, and home cook. She has worked in fast food, grocery stores, and a home and farm store. She studied business in hig... View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentHear hear, great opinion piece and I whole-heartedly agree. If the government could be run like a solid family unit, great parents don't coddle their children and pay their way forever - they have to let their children become responsible adults - what's the difference with that and the way the Government should be?
Very valid points!