"I am not the 99%" pic vent

JLKillion

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So, this pic keeps popping up on my p i n terest feed:

 https://i.imgur.com/Yl6M0.jpg

(sorry, ever since I upgraded to iCloud none of the linky or pic buttons will work for me)

Every time I see it, I get so frustrated. Really? All it takes is hard work to be part of the top 1%? I can totally forgive this person for their naivety because of their age and, by default, probable lack of real-world experiences. But what about all the other people who "like" or keep re-pinning it? Seriously. You think the Occupy Wall Street movement is just a bunch of lazy people who make poor financial decisions? You think having debt is bad?

To be honest, this is my hot-button. I grew up very financially insecure. There were several times throughout my childhood when my family received government subsidized housing assistance and food stamps. Let me be clear: both my parents worked, and worked hard. My father traveled throughout the south looking for work after his business went bankrupt, and my mother worked two jobs at different times. But, because housing and health insurance was so high, and because neither had their college degrees, they were stuck. As hard as they tried, they could not catch a break. I know this is why I have certain views on government assistance programs, healthcare reform and education.  I have 3 college degrees, all paid for by scholarships and state /federal monies (like pell grants) . DH and I are very cautious when it comes to financial decisions, and saved for 10 years in order to buy our first home. I am, and will always be, part of the 99%.

The insinuation that all poor people are lazy or everyone who needs assistance only wants a handout is horribly offensive to me. The assumption that all these "hippies" who want a government that starts making financial policy reforms that reflect the needs of 99% of its citizenry are only in it for debt forgiveness and free paychecks is naive. 

I know not everyone believes the way I do about these issues, and I welcome debate; just please don't flame me.  

JLKillion

Sorry everyone - I have tried posting this 5 times, and each time it messes up in some way. Now, when I go back to edit, I can't see the weirdo html at the beginning to fix it. 

bluestreet

Here's the picture link.

Yeah, I think those types of criticisms of the protests are lame. There's a similar popular picture of guy (in the military I think?) who touts the fact that he works a bajillion hours a week at multiple jobs, hasn't had two days off in row for four years, scrimps and saves, and that people should quit their complaining and work hard. So now there's a popular response that basically says: "Hey, good for you. You should be rich.  But nobody should have to work 80 hours a week to just get by."

I've always loathed the notion that rich people deserve to be rich because they work hard and poor people are poor because they're lazy. There are plenty of folks who worked their a$$ off and are barely getting by. It's a problem. 

I've got plenty of criticisms about the protests, but I'm certainly under no illusion that we've got a great system wear working hard equals making it, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, etc.

AustinMimi

I know the photo and I agree with you. Being poor does not mean that you are a condemned or bad person. Having debt does not make one a lazy moron. I also find the phrase "my dad works and my mom stays home to raise me right" (I'm paraphrasing) both offensive and contradictory to the rest of the statement. So being a mother who works outside of the home = "not raising your kids right"? But you're a lazy POS if you don't work? But women shoudn't work if they want to raise their kids right? How is this supposed to help anyone? Mindf*ck central right there.

ETA: sorry, I thought you were talking about the one being held up by the thirteen year old girl. 

L L CG

I don't even think I believe what she wrote.  She got decent grades but also managed to get scholarships that paid for 90% of her tuition??  Yeah, right.  And wouldn't she be fvcked if she *gasp* fell pregnant or had some sort of medical emergency or illness?  Someone is either paying her health insurance, meaning she is getting assistance and isn't going it alone, or she's uninsured and is just a 99%-er waiting to happen. 

 I call bullshit.

OrangeFelt

bluestreet, I was totally thinking about that link!  Its here: Open-Letter-to-that-53-Guy

I don't agree with 100% of it, but think the author gets his point across very well. A lot of people are turning it into a right/left battle when its not about sides.

OrangeFelt

duplicate

ali-1411

bluestreet:

Here's the picture link.

Yeah, I think those types of criticisms of the protests are lame. There's a similar popular picture of guy (in the military I think?) who touts the fact that he works a bajillion hours a week at multiple jobs, hasn't had two days off in row for four years, scrimps and saves, and that people should quit their complaining and work hard. So now there's a popular response that basically says: "Hey, good for you. You should be rich.  But nobody should have to work 80 hours a week to just get by."

I've always loathed the notion that rich people deserve to be rich because they work hard and poor people are poor because they're lazy. There are plenty of folks who worked their a$$ off and are barely getting by. It's a problem. 

I've got plenty of criticisms about the protests, but I'm certainly under no illusion that we've got a great system wear working hard equals making it, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, etc.

Ehhh I used to bill hours for guys who were making huge salaries.  And they were working insane amounts of hours.  Way more hours than I'd ever be willing to work.  I'm not going to grudge someone their huge salary because in most cases, they earn it.

DH was military and worked a bajillion hours with no days off and made...what?  $35k a year as a Specialist?  But you know what?  He CHOSE to not to go college and to join the Army.  

We all make choices.  No matter your circumstances.  Some people have the get-up to rise above it and make something of themselves and some don't.  That's not a problem, that's reality.

AustinMimi

L L CG:

I don't even think I believe what she wrote.  She got decent grades but also managed to get scholarships that paid for 90% of her tuition??  Yeah, right.  And wouldn't she be fvcked if she *gasp* fell pregnant or had some sort of medical emergency or illness?  Someone is either paying her health insurance, meaning she is getting assistance and isn't going it alone, or she's uninsured and is just a 99%-er waiting to happen. 

 I call bullshit.

Yes, I was thinking the same thing about the health insurance. And to this end, a scholarship *is* a hand-up IMO. Maybe it's based on merit and maybe it's based on financial need - doesn't matter to me. So this person is lucky that someone of a higher up station at his or her college said "hey, we should help those who can't afford college". Otherwise, could he or she have gotten to the self-congratulatory state of being able to write this sign?

bluestreet

OrangeFelt:

bluestreet, I was totally thinking about that link!  Its here: Open-Letter-to-that-53-Guy

I don't agree with 100% of it, but think the author gets his point across very well. A lot of people are turning it into a right/left battle when its not about sides.

Yes! Thanks!

L L CG

ali-1411:

bluestreet:

Here's the picture link.

Yeah, I think those types of criticisms of the protests are lame. There's a similar popular picture of guy (in the military I think?) who touts the fact that he works a bajillion hours a week at multiple jobs, hasn't had two days off in row for four years, scrimps and saves, and that people should quit their complaining and work hard. So now there's a popular response that basically says: "Hey, good for you. You should be rich.  But nobody should have to work 80 hours a week to just get by."

I've always loathed the notion that rich people deserve to be rich because they work hard and poor people are poor because they're lazy. There are plenty of folks who worked their a$$ off and are barely getting by. It's a problem. 

I've got plenty of criticisms about the protests, but I'm certainly under no illusion that we've got a great system wear working hard equals making it, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, etc.

Ehhh I used to bill hours for guys who were making huge salaries.  And they were working insane amounts of hours.  Way more hours than I'd ever be willing to work.  I'm not going to grudge someone their huge salary because in most cases, they earn it.

DH was military and worked a bajillion hours with no days off and made...what?  $35k a year as a Specialist?  But you know what?  He CHOSE to not to go college and to join the Army.  

We all make choices.  No matter your circumstances.  Some people have the get-up to rise above it and make something of themselves and some don't.  That's not a problem, that's reality.

But, you just said it.  Those guys you billed for worked insane amounts of hours and made huge salaries.  Your DH worked insane amounts of hours, too, defending our country, no less, and made a wage that wouldn't support a wife and kids.  I'm not saying your DH deserved a yacht for that, but he most definitely deserved to be able to afford housing, clothes and food for his family.  And, maybe he did have those things because he had military benefits, but the reality is that a man who is working his ass off should make at least a living wage whether he performs his work in a suit or a uniform.

brideonjuly8

Eh, the health insurance thing isn't always the case.  My bf is getting her masters in OT and basically gets free (awesome) health insurance through her school.  They're even paying for a very expensive elective eye surgery for her. 

But yeah, I kinda of agree.  I don't think that's the norm.  Great for them, but it's definitely not the case for everyone.  And yeah, she's lucky she hasn't run into any emergencys- car accident, breakdown, layoff, etc.  

bluestreet

L L CG:

ali-1411:

bluestreet:

Here's the picture link.

Yeah, I think those types of criticisms of the protests are lame. There's a similar popular picture of guy (in the military I think?) who touts the fact that he works a bajillion hours a week at multiple jobs, hasn't had two days off in row for four years, scrimps and saves, and that people should quit their complaining and work hard. So now there's a popular response that basically says: "Hey, good for you. You should be rich.  But nobody should have to work 80 hours a week to just get by."

I've always loathed the notion that rich people deserve to be rich because they work hard and poor people are poor because they're lazy. There are plenty of folks who worked their a$$ off and are barely getting by. It's a problem. 

I've got plenty of criticisms about the protests, but I'm certainly under no illusion that we've got a great system wear working hard equals making it, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, etc.

Ehhh I used to bill hours for guys who were making huge salaries.  And they were working insane amounts of hours.  Way more hours than I'd ever be willing to work.  I'm not going to grudge someone their huge salary because in most cases, they earn it.

DH was military and worked a bajillion hours with no days off and made...what?  $35k a year as a Specialist?  But you know what?  He CHOSE to not to go college and to join the Army.  

We all make choices.  No matter your circumstances.  Some people have the get-up to rise above it and make something of themselves and some don't.  That's not a problem, that's reality.

But, you just said it.  Those guys you billed for worked insane amounts of hours and made huge salaries.  Your DH worked insane amounts of hours, too, defending our country, no less, and made a wage that wouldn't support a wife and kids.  I'm not saying your DH deserved a yacht for that, but he most definitely deserved to be able to afford housing, clothes and food for his family.  And, maybe he did have those things because he had military benefits, but the reality is that a man who is working his ass off should make at least a living wage whether he performs his work in a suit or a uniform.

What she said.

Not to mention, class mobility is not what it once was.  (see slide show posted above for more.)

Sinafey

I don't think most of the protestors are looking for a handout.  I want campaign finance reform so that the elected officials that are supposed to be looking out for my best interest actually do, rather than bending over backwards to cater to the huuuuge corps that financed their campaigns.  I also want ex-Monsanto execs out of the FDA and Halliburton out of the DoD.

Additionally, I want those same massive corporations to share the tax burden.  I'm willing to not even talk about raising the rate they should pay - just that we close the loopholes that prevent big companies and that top percent from giving back to the country and people that made them rich.  

mcgee

bluestreet

mcgee:

to this and to Sinafey.

 

mcgee

I've been debating posting that pic to facebook for a while, but I haven't decided if I really want to deal with the responses from my extended family who probably already think I'm a heathen.

mcurban

mcgee:

I've been debating posting that pic to facebook for a while, but I haven't decided if I really want to deal with the responses from my extended family who probably already think I'm a heathen.

Considering that this week's gospel was the "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's..." I'd say it's appropriate. Even Jesus said, "Pay your taxes." 

:::stepping out:::

bobcatsteph

Sinafey:

I don't think most of the protestors are looking for a handout.  I want campaign finance reform so that the elected officials that are supposed to be looking out for my best interest actually do, rather than bending over backwards to cater to the huuuuge corps that financed their campaigns.  I also want ex-Monsanto execs out of the FDA and Halliburton out of the DoD.

Additionally, I want those same massive corporations to share the tax burden.  I'm willing to not even talk about raising the rate they should pay - just that we close the loopholes that prevent big companies and that top percent from giving back to the country and people that made them rich.  

Amen to this!!

Sinafey

The more I think about this the more annoyed I'm getting.  Who's said that the protestors are interested in handouts?  That isn't even a part of this movement, that's a straw man argument.  It only serves to spin the story so that media can say the other 99% just need to work harder to be in the elite.  We're not talking about welfare reform here.  

Edit: Sorry JLKillion, I guess I glossed over you saying pretty much exactly this in my first read-through of your post here:

JLKillion:The insinuation that all poor people are lazy or everyone who needs assistance only wants a handout is horribly offensive to me. The assumption that all these "hippies" who want a government that starts making financial policy reforms that reflect the needs of 99% of its citizenry are only in it for debt forgiveness and free paychecks is naive. 

 

molliedb

mcurban:

mcgee:

I've been debating posting that pic to facebook for a while, but I haven't decided if I really want to deal with the responses from my extended family who probably already think I'm a heathen.

Considering that this week's gospel was the "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's..." I'd say it's appropriate. Even Jesus said, "Pay your taxes." 

:::stepping out:::

 

 

Taytee

dupe

Taytee

L L CG:

   And wouldn't she be fvcked if she *gasp* fell pregnant

Is that what happens it when a woman trips, falls and lands on a penis? I gasp when I see that happen too. A true accidental pregnancy. Rare.

My problem is that they aren't offering ANY solutions. They just want change. They want things but give no solid advice on how to achieve it. That's the handout. Not a monetary one. They just want to waive a magic wand and things will be different. And as for the change, they're not even clear on what they even want to change either!! How can I stand behind something if I don't know what they're standing for?

I don't like the 99% name because I am not one of them. I'm not the 1% either. But I don't want the so called 99% to act like they speak on behalf of everyone because really, they don't.

L L CG

Taytee:

L L CG:

   And wouldn't she be fvcked if she *gasp* fell pregnant

Is that what happens it when a woman trips, falls and lands on a penis? I gasp when I see that happen too. A true accidental pregnancy. Rare.

My problem is that they aren't offering ANY solutions. They just want change. They want things but give no solid advice on how to achieve it. That's the handout. Not a monetary one. They just want to waive a magic wand and things will be different. And as for the change, they're not even clear on what they even want to change either!! How can I stand behind something if I don't know what they're standing for?

I don't like the 99% name because I am not one of them. I'm not the 1% either. But I don't want the so called 99% to act like they speak on behalf of everyone because really, they don't.

Sorry I used a verb that you don't like.  I should have said "became" or "got."  Would that have conveyed the point better?  If not, I am obviously trying to make the point that if a situation arose in which this person was unprepared for she may change her tune.

But I guess I could use the situation of myself in my first pregnancy, in which I was using the NuvaRing as directed and got pregnant.  No, I didn't fall on a penis, but it was an accident.

Taytee

L L CG:

Taytee:

L L CG:

   And wouldn't she be fvcked if she *gasp* fell pregnant

Is that what happens it when a woman trips, falls and lands on a penis? I gasp when I see that happen too. A true accidental pregnancy. Rare.

My problem is that they aren't offering ANY solutions. They just want change. They want things but give no solid advice on how to achieve it. That's the handout. Not a monetary one. They just want to waive a magic wand and things will be different. And as for the change, they're not even clear on what they even want to change either!! How can I stand behind something if I don't know what they're standing for?

I don't like the 99% name because I am not one of them. I'm not the 1% either. But I don't want the so called 99% to act like they speak on behalf of everyone because really, they don't.

Sorry I used a verb that you don't like.  I should have said "became" or "got."  Would that have conveyed the point better?  If not, I am obviously trying to make the point that if a situation arose in which this person was unprepared for she may change her tune.

But I guess I could use the situation of myself in my first pregnancy, in which I was using the NuvaRing as directed and got pregnant.  No, I didn't fall on a penis, but it was an accident.

I knew what you meant, it was just too tempting. I should have put a smiley or something. Nuvaring eh? I guess that makes you the 1% I kid!!! I'll stop. Sorry.

bluestreet

Taytee:

L L CG:

   And wouldn't she be fvcked if she *gasp* fell pregnant

Is that what happens it when a woman trips, falls and lands on a penis? I gasp when I see that happen too. A true accidental pregnancy. Rare.

My problem is that they aren't offering ANY solutions. They just want change. They want things but give no solid advice on how to achieve it. That's the handout. Not a monetary one. They just want to waive a magic wand and things will be different. And as for the change, they're not even clear on what they even want to change either!! How can I stand behind something if I don't know what they're standing for?

I don't like the 99% name because I am not one of them. I'm not the 1% either. But I don't want the so called 99% to act like they speak on behalf of everyone because really, they don't.

I think most agree on the following solutions: Reform campaign finance, raise minimum wage, close loop holes corporations and wealthy use to avoid paying taxes.

Sinafey

Taytee:

My problem is that they aren't offering ANY solutions. They just want change. They want things but give no solid advice on how to achieve it. That's the handout. Not a monetary one. They just want to waive a magic wand and things will be different. And as for the change, they're not even clear on what they even want to change either!! How can I stand behind something if I don't know what they're standing for?

I agree, I don't think they can realistically hope to do anything more than raise awareness unless they get organized and come up with a capable figurehead.  Their initial list of "demands" was embarrassing.  There are a lot of people glomming onto the Occupy movement with their own special interests and it isn't going to help anybody get anything accomplished when they dilute the message.

Despite all of that, I feel like it's a first step towards making necessary changes.

KateAggie

Labeling the OWS protestors as lazy is about as asinine as labeling Tea Party Members as racist.  Doesn't it suck to be labeled because of the fringe elements?

 I would rather be called lazy, though.

carlinlp

Sinafey:

I don't think most of the protestors are looking for a handout.  I want campaign finance reform so that the elected officials that are supposed to be looking out for my best interest actually do, rather than bending over backwards to cater to the huuuuge corps that financed their campaigns.  I also want ex-Monsanto execs out of the FDA and Halliburton out of the DoD.

Additionally, I want those same massive corporations to share the tax burden.  I'm willing to not even talk about raising the rate they should pay - just that we close the loopholes that prevent big companies and that top percent from giving back to the country and people that made them rich.