It’s disappointing really. People go on about their life, as usual, oblivious to the dissent and outcry out there. It is being down with them in mind. But since it’s NIMBY (NOT IN MY BACKYARD), they remain oblivious. It’s like driving down the highway on tires you know need to be replaced, but you think it’s no big deal. But it is, not only can you get a blowout, depending on how fast you are going, where you are at, and what happens when you do get that inevitable blowout, you will suffer dire consequences.
It’s not that simple. You can’t just ignore the outcry because it doesn’t affect you at this very moment. Does it? This isn’t left versus right. This isn’t up vs. down. This is not class warfare. This is not hipster hippie ganja smokers only. This isn’t socialism versus capitalism. This is not poor people against big money corporations This is everyone. Let’s go down this list? Let’s see if you fall somewhere on it, you might have more reason to be upset than you currently think.
- Have you or someone close to you been laid off or ask to take lesser position / less pay / freeze on salary (aka no raise at all)
- Have you or someone close to you dealt with uncertainty of home ownership if not foreclosure
- Have you or someone close to you lost any type of money due to bad investments by a financial institution with regards to 401k or IRA
- Are you younger than 50 and plan to retire at retirement age
- Do you have at least 3 months of salary saved up or have the ability to get there within the year
- Do you feel that your job/company has consolidated the workforce more than they should and as a result, have you taken on added responsibility?
- Has your financial institution sold you loans to other financial intuitions for any reason other than delinquency
- Are associated with a small business that has to directly compete with organizations that have received tax breaks due to their size and/or political contributions.
- Do you constantly have to opt for cheaper, unhealthy items in the grocery store because of the high cost of healthy options
- Have you or someone close to you needed medical treatment and not been able to receive adequate medical attention due to lack of coverage provided by your companies health care insurer or lack of insurance altogether
If any of those bullet points hit home for you, you should be mad. You should demand what you deserve. And you should not be scared about it. Not afraid to lose your job. Not afraid to stand up for what you deserve as a hard working American. You don’t have to join a specific movement or protest group.
But you have to do something. For the millions of people who “did something.” It wasn’t enough. You work hard, don’t make any negative noise and don’t ask for more than your share, you get rewarded right? You get to retire right? Yes. Lay off’s. Lost 401K and IRAs. Declining value of the Dollar. Declining value of your residential neighborhood or loss of your home/possessions. Ill health due to inadequate access to healthy food options or decent health care.
Who should you be mad at? The government? The President? People on welfare? Illegals? Corporations?
Look no further than the mirror. You continued to work for these companies and not stood up for what you deserved. You continued to vote with YOUR MONEY for goods and services from irresponsible corporations and business. You OPTED for the unhealthy food. You CHOSE to stay ignorant and blind to what the corporations and politicians were doing. Moving their companies overseas. Paying ridiculous fees. Not formed/joined unions. Voted for Corporation BACKED politicians and did not demand transparency at every level. Allowed them to lobby with campaign contributions. You chose to work. Go home. Buy what you did. Did not support small business. Maybe did not play an active role in the community and/or volunteered.
Nothing. Now we point fingers at everyone else. We chastise peoples movements. We chastise the other sides lack of ability for political reform. Too socialist, too greedy, to ineffective, self serving…
Now is time for change. Not for Americas government. Not just for politics. Or the economy. It is time for you to change. No longer can you lead your life and not be active in the community. Spending money at the mall or grocery store is not enough. Being a responsible consumer. Hold business (small or large) accountable for their actions. If they don’t, don’t buy them anymore and tell everyone else you know not to either. Stand up now. Before its too late.
If you don’t, and stay silent. Live life as usual. Be ready to be laid off by your company one day. Or ask to take less pay/benefits and work longer/harder hours. See everything continue to inflate, everything but your wallet. See you neighbors or yourself fall behind and be forced out of your neighborhood.
You don’t have to join any movement. Affect change starting with your household. Make better decisions. Where does your money and/or vote go? Would you buy from a polluter? A murderer? A violent person? A liar? You probably are if you have never looked into any corporation and their ethics.
Be smart. Think Now.
