The 53%

In response to the Occupy movement and its battle cry of "We are the 99%," a counter movement calling itself "We are the 53%" has formed,  drawing its name from the 53% of Americans who paid Federal Income Tax last year. The 53% suggest in no uncertain terms that they are "carrying" the 47% who do not earn enough to owe Federal Income Tax. They would have us believe that if the poorest Americans would simply work harder and pay more, the country would not be in the financial straits in which we now find ourselves.

The 53% are eager to cite figures: trudging through 60-hour work weeks, holding down two jobs, working their way through college, raising 3 or more children. After reading several dozen personal testimonials, is no doubt that those who number themselves among the 53% have made great personal sacrifices. Many have had no secondary education. Many have earned degrees as adults. Many have taken second jobs to make ends meet. Nobody would dispute such sacrifices.

What I question is the assertion that these stories of work and sacrifice are incompatible with the Occupy movement. Would not the lives of the 53% be better today had Congress not repealed the Glass-Steagall Act in 1999?  Would not the lives of the 53% be better today had lenders not engaged in predatory practices between 2000 and 2008?  Would not the lives of ALL Americans be better had Federal bailout funds been more carefully managed, and not simply handed out without stipulations regarding their use? I think the answer to all three questions is yes.

Much mention has been made of the Occupy movement's youthful character, and much mockery directed at the drum circles found at many protests. The remarks made by those identifying themselves as the 53% mirror remarks I heard directed at anti-war protestors in the 1960s. "Stop protesting and go get a job," is the overall sentiment. While convenient, this hardly carries any weight. Many protestors are students. Many ARE looking for work. Which is kind of the point. If US companies like General Electric were actually hiring US workers, instead of expanding in areas like Estonia, many more WOULD be working, and thus would be contributing to the Federal Tax pool. But of course there is no way to compel US firms to hire US workers, especially when workers in other countries will work for lower wages and under conditions that would be never meet US safety standards. 

The 53% are very clear that they have played by the rules of the American Dream Playbook. When times were tough, they worked harder, took more hours at more menial jobs, earned degrees at night. And what thanks did they get? None. In fact, many of the 53% are very quick to say, "the world owes me nothing." Yet, their tone tells a different story. Why trumpet the fact that you work 60+ hours a week unless you expect something in return? No, not money. But certainly gratitude, perhaps even glory. And it seems, at least to the 53%, that the only reason for the current economic crisis is that "the 47%" are lazy do-nothings and drug addicts who expect a free ride. Not so. Let me repeat that...

NOT SO.

To blame the unemployed, the underemployed, the working poor, the homeless, and those incapable of sustained employment is not only callous and self-righteous, it is inaccurate. If you believe that the man who lives on a subway grate is getting a free ride, I challenge you to try it for a week. One week with no walls, no doors, no support structure other than the charity of strangers. See how "free" that ride is. Take the waitress or the motel housekeeper who must sustain herself on tips. Try working on your feet for 12 hours a day just to earn $50, and see if you'd still call her lazy. 

As long as struggling Americans with two jobs continue to blame struggling Americans who are unemployed or underemployed, we will make no progress. Perhaps we should look at those who never seem to struggle--not the homeless man on the vent but the investment banker in the penthouse, or the legislator who insists that corporations are good stewards of the economy. Perhaps we should work together. Because like it or not, dreadlocked drummer or overworked machinist, we ARE the 99%.

 

Comments

[Wendy]

Charlie: I am a loyal reader and I cannot think of anything you've written that I disagree with (okay--well, I have a daughter [and four granddaughters] so I probably have to declare HER the most beautiful daughter in the world, but otherwise . . . !) I don't know if you've seen this, but thought I'd put the link here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/12/1025555/-Open-Letter-to-that-53-Guy

[Charlie]

Thx Wendy. And for the link as well. The Daily Kos column makes some great points. I hope other readers click over.

[Barbara]

Beautifully stated! Thank you Charlie.

[Jenna]

In my mind I shouted, "f@&$in' right!"
& through up my fist.

Thanks for putting this out there!

[twitter.com/CutestKidEver]

I approve of this wholeheartedly. I've paid federal taxes every year since graduating college. But I know the system is broken. I support the Occupy movement, and I acknowledge my place in both the 53% and the 99%. I paid a ridiculous amount of federal taxes last year, money we could've used to pay down our mortgage or save for our son's college fund. GE paid nothing. That's not right.