I just met a homeless man standing outside Taco Bell. He was begging for money so that he could stay at a hotel and get clean. I didn't want to just hand him money, because I wondered what he would really use it for. I asked him if he would want some food and he accepted my offer. But even after buying him the meal, he persisted in asking for money for a hotel room but I turned him down. I wished him luck and made my way home. I don't know how David ended up outside a San Mateo Taco Bell. I do know that here is a man who is very down on his luck. And meanwhile, as David and thousands like him struggle to find a place to stay for the night, the wealthiest 1% are looking into purchasing their next luxury home.
We need a change, America. We started with Obama. But we aren't done. If we are going to take on Big Business, we have to organize. Because they have more money than any of us do (combined), but we have our numbers. We have to unite. We have to stop being cowed by what we see as the status quo. We have to stand up and rise as one! For the sake of American humanity!
Here's what half the people who ever read this (ie, one of you) will undoubtedly think: David, the guy standing outside of Taco Bell, is an alcoholic, who complains about the woes in his life. Oh really? What about 90% of New York or San Francisco 20 somethings. Are they not alcoholics? Honestly, I think 20 somethings of all cities in this country consume more alcohol per capita than most homeless people. After all, they have a lot more money to their name. And who doesn't complain about their life?? Everyone does. It's human to complain about your life.
Those of you who think half of the Americans in this country are lazy welfare hogs, all I have to say is: Open your eyes to reality. Reality is this:
The fact is, the wealthiest command this country's resources. And despite all that capitalists might claim, the "trickle down" economics of Reagan fails. America, the people on Welfare got there because there are no opportunities available. Maybe some of these people aren't the most cunning. They aren't innovators like Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg, or titans of industry like Rockefeller or Carnegie. But should that preclude them from having a decent job? Don't they deserve an opportunity to have a job that pays them enough to make ends meet? 9% of Americans do not have that chance. 35% of Americans earn less than 25k a year, and 50% of American families earn less than 50k a year. Add that to the above. These aforementioned are struggling to get by while 1% of our population commands a significant proportion of our nation's wealth! What has happened to us America?! How much worse does this need to get?!
Now I know what I've said previously, and I mean what I said. I don't like complaining. What I like is action. What we need to do is stop talking. And start standing up. Aside from a few isolated cases, the banking industry foreclosed on America. The largest bailout in history was borne on the backs of Americans, and the status quo has continued. The rich have continued to get richer and the poor, poorer. Change needs to happen. This system of ongoing inequality will get worse before it gets better, but I hope that justice comes to all those who have stolen the treasure of the people and brought uncounted suffering into the lives of so many.
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