Anonymous
10/06/2011 07:59
Subject: We are the 99 Percent
I love how so many on this forum think nothing like this could ever happen to them. D.C. is a bubble, no different than the dot com bubble that crashed out in California. The amount of defense contracting up here + the major projected budget cuts in defense spending = huge layoffs. So you have a good job now, and a degree. What happens if your company loses their defense contract? There goes your job. You're late 40s, early 50s, and unemployed. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find employment at that age? "OH but I have so much money in savings and could live just fine off that, plus I have my 401(k)." But while you're unemployed, your wife gets breast cancer. You have no health insurance, because COBRA ran out before you found employment. You empty your savings and your 401(k) to pay for her treatment. Now you're unemployed, your savings are wiped out, and you have a degree, but no job prospects, and still have medical debt from what your savings didn't cover. It is NOT HARD to imagine yourself in some of these people's shoes if you just try to have a little empathy!
Anonymous
10/06/2011 07:48
Subject: We are the 99 Percent
We are the 99% and you could be one too, so please get off your self-righteous "I made the right decisions" high horses! We were probably much like you are: upper middle class, well-educated, paid off our not so crazy school loans, always lived within our means, blah, blah, blah.
DH is in mid 50s and has been screwed in the work force the past 4 years. There's a whole group of white males who have been "reorganized" out of their job for younger, inexperienced and cheaper labor. It has been nearly impossible for these men to find work and when they do it's for MUCH lower salaries. Also, every time DH, who has a stellar resume, is a job finalist, he has lost out to younger females/minority hires when interviewing.
So now I work numerous jobs as I re-enter the work force after child rearing, while DH moves in and out of "consulting" positions - that's what many companies have moved to thus avoiding providing any benefits, particularly healthcare and retirement.
We could probably scrape by if not for the abysmal healthcare situation in the US. That's where we are completely under water and we are basically healthy - but any unexpected emergencies, even small ones - and we are underwater financially. Healthcare costs are Out of Control here in the US. It is the most inefficient system out there globally.
We live very frugally, drive old cars, little travel etc, but have 2 kids to raise, no money left for retirement, much less college tuition. Thank god we bought a prepaid tuition plan for our oldest.
It has been 4 years of stress for us and that seems unlikely to change given the state of the US/world economy now. The thought of this going on until DH is old enough to retire is too depressing to even think about.
As more and more upper middle class people end up in this situation, perhaps there will be an uprising that can't be ignored.
DH is in mid 50s and has been screwed in the work force the past 4 years. There's a whole group of white males who have been "reorganized" out of their job for younger, inexperienced and cheaper labor. It has been nearly impossible for these men to find work and when they do it's for MUCH lower salaries. Also, every time DH, who has a stellar resume, is a job finalist, he has lost out to younger females/minority hires when interviewing.
So now I work numerous jobs as I re-enter the work force after child rearing, while DH moves in and out of "consulting" positions - that's what many companies have moved to thus avoiding providing any benefits, particularly healthcare and retirement.
We could probably scrape by if not for the abysmal healthcare situation in the US. That's where we are completely under water and we are basically healthy - but any unexpected emergencies, even small ones - and we are underwater financially. Healthcare costs are Out of Control here in the US. It is the most inefficient system out there globally.
We live very frugally, drive old cars, little travel etc, but have 2 kids to raise, no money left for retirement, much less college tuition. Thank god we bought a prepaid tuition plan for our oldest.
It has been 4 years of stress for us and that seems unlikely to change given the state of the US/world economy now. The thought of this going on until DH is old enough to retire is too depressing to even think about.
As more and more upper middle class people end up in this situation, perhaps there will be an uprising that can't be ignored.
Anonymous
10/06/2011 07:35
Subject: Re:We are the 99 Percent
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.
jsteele
10/06/2011 07:30
Subject: Re:We are the 99 Percent
Anonymous wrote:
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.
Couldn't the same be said about any protest? Who was at the famous March on Washington at which Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke? Obviously, people who could afford to protest. Who attends the Tea Party protests? People who can afford to protest. That's common sense and does nothing to detract from the protest or the protesters. Keep in mind, people almost always have to sacrifice something in order to be able to afford to protest. Its a question of priorities. For some, the priority right now is to demonstrate that they are tired of the unfair accumulation of wealth in this country. For some, the priority is to post messages on the Internet criticizing those people.
Anonymous
10/06/2011 07:13
Subject: Re:We are the 99 Percent
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.
Anonymous
10/06/2011 06:58
Subject: We are the 99 Percent
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?
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?
Anonymous
10/06/2011 06:34
Subject: Re:We are the 99 Percent
Anonymous wrote:Is this because now white, middle class people are becoming 99%ers that this is making news? This was a reality for lots of minority folks since, well, forever.
THIS!!
Anonymous
10/06/2011 05:17
Subject: We are the 99 Percent
Sorry but taking on 135K in school loans is a choice. I'm glad you had the opportunity to attend the best school but there were many other institutions that could have provided a good education for you. I assume you chose this school because you believed that the higher projected income would offset the tremendous debt -- a smart strategy that is paying off. You are not part of the 99 percent.
Anonymous
10/05/2011 23:10
Subject: Re:We are the 99 Percent
I am the 99%
I went to the best school in the US and left with $135,000 in loans because my family didn't qualify for much aid (middle class) and what we did was taken away from getting outside scholarships (which they don't tell you before you arrive). 5 years later it's now $100,000. I'm in graduate school, not incurring more debt, making some money and have great health insurance so I am much better off than most posting on those sites. But what happens when I graduate? Will I find work?
Don't judge until you understand.
I went to the best school in the US and left with $135,000 in loans because my family didn't qualify for much aid (middle class) and what we did was taken away from getting outside scholarships (which they don't tell you before you arrive). 5 years later it's now $100,000. I'm in graduate school, not incurring more debt, making some money and have great health insurance so I am much better off than most posting on those sites. But what happens when I graduate? Will I find work?
Don't judge until you understand.
Anonymous
10/05/2011 22:43
Subject: Re:We are the 99 Percent
Anonymous wrote:Where did the "1% owns 99%" come from?
And I don't understand "occupy wall street"?
Have you been in a coma for the past few days or simply so self-absorbed you never get your head our of your arse?
Anonymous
10/05/2011 22:37
Subject: Re:We are the 99 Percent
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. I have been continually employed since I was 15yo. There may be 9% unemployment in this country but that means 91% are working!
No, genius, it doesn't mean that 91% are working. Unemployment stats are made up of people actually looking for work. After awhile people just give up, particularly if they have been unemployed for two or three years. Idiot.
Giving up is a choice and that choice has consequences.
BTW Name calling serves no purpose and does not help the debate nor the resolution to the problem. You may disagree with me but resorting to child-like tactics does not add credibility to you point of view.
Anonymous
10/05/2011 22:27
Subject: Re:We are the 99 Percent
Anonymous wrote:maybe the passion should be a hobby, not a job planAnonymous wrote:Does this mean most people should be trying to get STEM degrees rather than pursuing their passion or finding themselves in college? This is what many poor foreigners do. Your reality becomes your future and "passion"?
So true, so true. The idea of 'following your passion' is a luxury in itself.
Anonymous
10/05/2011 22:27
Subject: Re:We are the 99 Percent
Anonymous wrote:maybe the passion should be a hobby, not a job planAnonymous wrote:Does this mean most people should be trying to get STEM degrees rather than pursuing their passion or finding themselves in college? This is what many poor foreigners do. Your reality becomes your future and "passion"?
Yup. I know a couple of talented weekend artists and musicians who work as doctors and lawyers to pay the bills.
Anonymous
10/05/2011 22:27
Subject: Re:We are the 99 Percent
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. I have been continually employed since I was 15yo. There may be 9% unemployment in this country but that means 91% are working!
Why in the world would you assume they aren't? Believe it or not, there are lots of smart, hard-working people who are still poor and/or unemployed/underemployed.
Because they are sleeping in a park on Wall Street with no clear objective, they certainly won't find a job there. It's so easy to blame someone else for all your problems. This apathetic attitude is permeating throughout this country and we are hurting ourselves. I understand the frustration, it's clear the large banks have some culpability for the current economic situation but protesting outside the banks won't do anything. Asking the government to do something won't do anything either, government is anemic! People starting companies and pushing innovation will get this country back on track, not some media circus like sleeping in a park in NYC and marching down Wall Street or counting hits on this website.[/quote]
They should put some adds up there and generate some pay-per-click revenues.
Anonymous
10/05/2011 22:26
Subject: Re:We are the 99 Percent
Anonymous wrote:TheManWithAUsername 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.
I was struck by that too. Reminds of the stats about the portion of homeless people there b/c of medical issues. I think there’s a very big difference between healthcare and education, though. I only have so much sympathy for someone mired in student loans b/c of her MFA.
This is how I feel. Sorry, but if you're going to take out hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans, shouldn't you try for a degree where you will actually get a job that makes it worthwhile?
Because all teenagers have an infallible sense of the job market - and the job market in twenty years.
I actually agree that many people take out stupid graduate student loans and should know better, but student loans for a basic BA are hard to blame on a person. Not everyone has a parent to help pay and to give good career advice.