We are the 99 Percent

[Anonymous]

I don't think this is representative of the 99%. While most of these stories are truly heartbreaking, these probably represent no more than 20% of our population. I'm not saying it's acceptable that that many people in this country are struggling, however, it's also not fair to suggest that this is 99% of our country. It's misleading. The vast majority of our country are still doing much better than the vast majority of the rest of the world. Again, I'm not saying we can't and shouldn't do better, but it's something to consider. And BTW, I do think it's absurd that 1% holds 99% of the wealth. We are upper-middle class and still worry about healthcare, a secure retirement, paying for college. I don't think people in similar financial situations had to worry about these issues a generation ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love how so many on this forum think nothing like this could ever happen to them.

I have no doubt that something like this could happen to us. We have no family around and I worry about it constantly.

But, I'm not sure what the protesters are trying to accomplish? They want 'economic equality'? What is that exactly. Everybody gets paid the same? Everybody deserves basic healthcare (yes, I do believe that) or everybody deserves a brand new car?

I completely agree that our healthcare system SUCKs. So then, maybe we should be protesting hospitals? We definitely need healthcare reform, but nothing ever gets done in Washington.

I'm not exactly sure what the protests are trying to accomplish. If the people are jus looking for a place to vent, then okay. What changes are they looking for exactly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love how so many on this forum think nothing like this could ever happen to them.

I have no doubt that something like this could happen to us. We have no family around and I worry about it constantly.

But, I'm not sure what the protesters are trying to accomplish? They want 'economic equality'? What is that exactly. Everybody gets paid the same? Everybody deserves basic healthcare (yes, I do believe that) or everybody deserves a brand new car?

I completely agree that our healthcare system SUCKs. So then, maybe we should be protesting hospitals? We definitely need healthcare reform, but nothing ever gets done in Washington.

I'm not exactly sure what the protests are trying to accomplish. If the people are jus looking for a place to vent, then okay. What changes are they looking for exactly?

I haven't figured that out myself yet. News footage shows that everyone out there thinks they're there for a different reason. Healthcare, housing crisis, unemployment, corrupt and out-of-touch politicians, Republicans, Tea Party, Wall St. bankers. They're protesting their general conditions I guess, but I really don't think the movement is organized and cohesive enough to actually amount to anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this is representative of the 99%. While most of these stories are truly heartbreaking, these probably represent no more than 20% of our population. I'm not saying it's acceptable that that many people in this country are struggling, however, it's also not fair to suggest that this is 99% of our country. It's misleading. The vast majority of our country are still doing much better than the vast majority of the rest of the world. Again, I'm not saying we can't and shouldn't do better, but it's something to consider. And BTW, I do think it's absurd that 1% holds 99% of the wealth. We are upper-middle class and still worry about healthcare, a secure retirement, paying for college. I don't think people in similar financial situations had to worry about these issues a generation ago.

Actually, I think it IS representative of the 99%, although it's probably more like 90%. Fact is, we in the DC Metro area are buffered from a lot of the economic crisis. Our housing markets have taken a beating, but because this area is so transient, we can still sell our houses and get out of them. We have a constant stream of money coming from the Federal Government that our area has the luxury of capitalizing on (all the Fed Contracting Shops). And we have a very high percentage of military and government families here who are paid, mo matter what the economy looks like. So, if you don't think this area has a buffer and looks different from the rest of the country, think again.

[TheManWithAUsername]

If your HHI is less than $500k, you're not in the top percentile, and are therefore in the 99% (by income). You may well be like my family: far luckier than the people on that site, with lots of high-class problems.

As PPs have said, that means that you are one job loss and one medical crisis from ruin. If you're lucky, like us you have family and friends who would keep you off the street, but that's your only safety net.

If you think that it's OK that even we well-off live with that basic insecurity, and tens of millions live in the actual ruin, while, e.g., the 400 richest have more than the bottom 50% of the population combined, then these demonstrations shouldn't interest you.

If you think it's OK that in the richest country of the world millions of children experience hunger and millions experience other basic insecurities and deprivations because of their mistake in being born to poor and/or even foolish parents, then these demonstrations shouldn't interest you.

If you think that every person with these difficulties should just keep plugging away while powerful forces far outside their reach interfere with the efforts, instead of directly confronting those forces, then these demonstrations may actually annoy you.

I'm grateful that I'm not in financial ruin, that my children aren't deprived of anything important, and that the financial oligarchy is so far only annoying and disgusting to me, as opposed to something destroying me.

[Anonymous]

But, I'm not sure what the protesters are trying to accomplish? They want 'economic equality'? What is that exactly. Everybody gets paid the same? Everybody deserves basic healthcare (yes, I do believe that) or everybody deserves a brand new car?




Those people want to be able to find a job that pays a living wage. They want to be able to afford healthcare for themselves and their families and they want to be able to retire someday and not worry where the next piece of toast is coming from. Very simple!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get it either. Seems like a bunch of whining. If you're not happy put that same energy into changing your situation. I paid my entire way through college, got a job and paid off my loans 100% all on my own.

Because it is so much easier to whine. A guest on NPR was commenting that the people protesting are people who can 'afford' to protest. Who have a way to get to Wall Street and eat when they get there.

The rest of the people are actually out working 80 hours a week to put food on the table for their families. They don't have time for whining.

Isn't the point of protest to make things better? The problem is good jobs are going away. Full-time employees become independent contractors. Grocery stores hire part-timers instead of full-timers. When we eviscerate labor unions, malign teachers and public sector employees, this is what we get. What you're saying, is shut up and accept the situation in this country. We aren't making things better for our children, we're making them worse.

NO, I am not saying shut up and accept the situation. What I am saying is don't expect someone else to make things better for you. An individual needs to make things better for themselves and their family and that doesn't mean making it better by protesting someone to give you something to which you think you're entitled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get it either. Seems like a bunch of whining. If you're not happy put that same energy into changing your situation. I paid my entire way through college, got a job and paid off my loans 100% all on my own.

Because it is so much easier to whine. A guest on NPR was commenting that the people protesting are people who can 'afford' to protest. Who have a way to get to Wall Street and eat when they get there.

The rest of the people are actually out working 80 hours a week to put food on the table for their families. They don't have time for whining.

Isn't the point of protest to make things better? The problem is good jobs are going away. Full-time employees become independent contractors. Grocery stores hire part-timers instead of full-timers. When we eviscerate labor unions, malign teachers and public sector employees, this is what we get. What you're saying, is shut up and accept the situation in this country. We aren't making things better for our children, we're making them worse.

NO, I am not saying shut up and accept the situation. What I am saying is don't expect someone else to make things better for you. An individual needs to make things better for themselves and their family and that doesn't mean making it better by protesting someone to give you something to which you think you're entitled.

Yeah, how dare people expect things they're not entitled to, like affordable healthcare, and jobs so they can work to support their family! The nerve! They should totally make things better for themselves by passing legislation themselves that actually taxes the higher brackets who are paying nothing in taxes, and close loopholes for corporations, and make healthcare a universal right. Why on earth are they bothering with asking Congress to do this shit, they should just do it themselves!

[Anonymous]

I think the people attending the protests do not feel entitled to anything. They are pissed because they feel Corporate America controls Congress, rather than government ran by the people. Example - Wall St, banks, manufacturers, et al. get bail outs, tax cuts and stimulus money while the 99% are losing income and gaining debt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is amazing how many of the people who posted talked about medical debt, with a close second being student loan debt. If we could find a way, as a society, to make healthcare and education - two basic needs in a modern society - more affordable, we might have fewer people living on the edge. I believe in Obamacare, but I hope it really does help.

People are living on the edge because they are unemployed or underemployed. Student loans are a choice not a necessity. PP, you could have a devasting illness and even with medical insurance you could end up bankrupt. Your patronizing solutions are just that.

Isn't this exactly the problem. Why do we have to live in a country where one devastating illness can spin you into bankrupcy? I think we can do better than this.

Oh... and a basic post-college education isn't a luxury today, it is a necessity to get a job with a living wage. Not all student loan debt is a choice.

This.

And the sad thing is, everyone - I repeat, everyone - will eventually encounter a devastating illness. The question in, when. If you're "lucky" to make it to Medicare age before that, good for you. But if you are young and sick, then you are screwed. It's a shame!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work at a medical office in NoVA and we have been trying to hire a staff person for MONTHS. You would think in this economy, it would be easy. Nope, not so much.

We have people come in for interviews wearing shorts, talking on their cell phones. We finally hired one person and she showed up late twice, then just didn't show up. We had one person stall on her SS number and finally couldn't produce one.

We offer a fair salary, and are willing to train. It's incredibly hard to find good, reliable workers. So many people seem to just want to come to work and do nothing? What is that about? If so many unemployed people want to work, why aren't they actually showing up and putting in the extra effort at their job?

You do have a point there. I was hired two years ago as an Administrative Assistant after staying home with my baby for about one year. I was the FOURTH person hired for this job within a 12 months time period. My boss said the same exact things. The job pays a pretty good salary for a support person and has rather flexible hours. I've been with the company for a little more than two years now and I feel lucky to have found this job.

Still I feel for a lot of those people on the website. Some of them may not be able to work in their chosen field anymore due to health issues etc. You just never know what lies ahead. I'm thankful for every day that my family has a paycheck.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, how dare people expect things they're not entitled to, like affordable healthcare, and jobs so they can work to support their family! The nerve! They should totally make things better for themselves by passing legislation themselves that actually taxes the higher brackets who are paying nothing in taxes, and close loopholes for corporations, and make healthcare a universal right. Why on earth are they bothering with asking Congress to do this shit, they should just do it themselves!



THIS!!!!

[Anonymous]

The "99%" movement seems terribly unorganized, I have seen numerous interviews with the protesters with no clear objective. In one interview a protester said that he didn't know specifically what they wanted to change but he wanted to "continue the conversation", that form of ambiguity will get you nowhere. You have to have your eye on a goal to achieve that goal.

I find it ironic that these protesters are utilizing the products made by the evil capitalist corporations that they protest against like Facebook, iPhone, Twitter, Gmail, etc. At least I think thats one of the many things they are attempting to protest.


Here's a relative inspiring story, a few weeks ago a 13yo kid came by my house with a manual push lawnmower(like Charlie Brown style) asking to cut my grass. I tell him it's been a long time since I've seen lawnmower like that and he tells me he got it for free from Freecycle. I ask what he's trying to make money for and he tells me so he can buy a power lawnmower with an engine so he can do more lawns and larger lawns. Even though I had cut the lawn less than a week ago I hired him, it was only $10(I have a small townhouse front yard). He cut my lawn and knocked on the door when he was done so I paid him. As he was leaving he let me know he would be doing leaves once they fall and snow shoveling through the winter. So this kid has a plan to parlay a free lawnmower into a profit, invest that profit back his business in the form of new equipment to grow his business and he's advance marketing for new lines of service. I was inspired by this young entrepreneur in the making.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yeah, how dare people expect things they're not entitled to, like affordable healthcare, and jobs so they can work to support their family! The nerve! They should totally make things better for themselves by passing legislation themselves that actually taxes the higher brackets who are paying nothing in taxes, and close loopholes for corporations, and make healthcare a universal right. Why on earth are they bothering with asking Congress to do this shit, they should just do it themselves!



THIS!!!!

I'm actually fairly conservative and I agree totally with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at a medical office in NoVA and we have been trying to hire a staff person for MONTHS. You would think in this economy, it would be easy. Nope, not so much.

We have people come in for interviews wearing shorts, talking on their cell phones. We finally hired one person and she showed up late twice, then just didn't show up. We had one person stall on her SS number and finally couldn't produce one.

We offer a fair salary, and are willing to train. It's incredibly hard to find good, reliable workers. So many people seem to just want to come to work and do nothing? What is that about? If so many unemployed people want to work, why aren't they actually showing up and putting in the extra effort at their job?

You do have a point there. I was hired two years ago as an Administrative Assistant after staying home with my baby for about one year. I was the FOURTH person hired for this job within a 12 months time period. My boss said the same exact things. The job pays a pretty good salary for a support person and has rather flexible hours. I've been with the company for a little more than two years now and I feel lucky to have found this job.
.

In this economy, with such high unemployment, why in the world did it take a year to fill your position? I'm sure your boss is thrilled to have you! It is such a HUGE hassle to hire a new person.

This is quite often the case. Ask anyone who deals with hiring - the applicants do come to you with a sense of 'entitlement'.

It's pretty easy - show up on time and do your job. It's not that much to ask. But, for whatever reason, many employees can't/won't deliver.