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...but you would not listen. When Welfare DEformed was enacted in 1996, low income people tried to tell the middle class they were also included in this bill. It says in essence the only way anyone contributes to American society is to work a McJob. Mothering, caring for elderly relatives, contributing to your community, volunteering, all of these things are considered "doing nothing. But working a minimum wage job ~ even below minimum wage ~ is "better" than caring for a three month old baby. I am quoting the writer of that bill from the Heritage Foundation, Robert Recter, who said that anything but working those low paying jobs was "doing nothing" merely three months ago on NPR. He is a right wing nut elitist who believes the "unwashed masses" working slave wages that enrich himself and his friends is the real patriotic thing to do, certainly not raising families and the like ~ therefore livable wages, community support and the like is immaterial. Remember they are conservative and very Libertarian in their philosophy. That bill Recter wrote says you are supposed to work for some rich man for nothing because THAT is the only way you are "doing something." What this bill is saying in essence that Corporations are the only ones "contributing" to America, the worker does not count and therefore we are not as "worthy" to receive tax breaks and government support of any kind as corporation's and the rich ~ and this is now law thanks to the silence and apathy when it was passed in 1996!!!
When this bill was being enacted many of the middle class were waving their torches and pitchforks along with the chuckling rich men behind the curtain, rubbing their hands together anticipating the slavery they would impose that would make bring fortune to the few. We tried to point out that the economy was not going to be as good forever. We tried to tell you not everybody was reaping in the benefits that you were, and that workers rights were being terribly eroded, laws being undermined, because unions more enamored with the corporate CEO than the people they were paid to represent, but you refunded to listen. We tried to tell you that American laws are not supposed to just apply to one class of people, that they were for all Americans but you refused to believe that and foolishly thought that bill could not possibly apply to you. We tried to tell you all that the poor were the canary in the mine and that you were next, but you refused to listen and poohed-poohed us because well, we are not "credible" even though we were living what was coming for you. Nope you would have rather listened to some over-paid "consultant" who was (and still is)considered more credible even though they had never worked a McJob in their lives except as teens so they could buy that shiny new car.
I am sad about the middle class disappearing, but all I can say is "welcome to the club and be glad because you now have a whole lot of caring and willing teachers who can help you survive it on the street as we did when you did not give a crap about us ..." Perhaps you will teach your children what you forgot: that what happens to the least of us, eventually happens to ALL of us...
Cat In Seattle
P.S. BTW, that bill, called the Personal Responsibility Act written, voted upon, and signed into law by rich politicians who were anything but fiscally or morally responsible themselves, is now being made into something even more draconian as of this time and it might be important to write, call or email your reperesentative and tlel them this is unacceptable.
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