There are some people in this country today, who make a lot of money, who are really pissing me off. I know I can’t vilify all those Americans whose yearly income is over a million dollars because that isn’t cool. I also know that some rich Americans are the biggest humanitarians and shining examples human generosity you’ll find. Having said that, there are a lot of wealthy Americans who would make Snidely Whiplash raise an eyebrow. As a frequent forager of the news I’ve seen a lot of stories recently where the uber-rich, while protesting the repeal of the Bush tax cuts, are complaining to The President and the public about how they feel discriminated against. Like this guy – He claims to represent Wall Street. Insiders say this is a common sentiment on Wall Street, and that left-leaning Wall Street types are reluctant to stand up for the administration for fear of being beat up. EXCUSE ME???!!! Didn’t we bail you guys out for screwing the rest of us???
Let’s say that I invite you to in to my house. You (purposely) start a fire. You begin choking on smoke and pass out. I pick you up take you out of the burning house, thereby saving your life. We both stand out looking at my house, in blazes, and I tell you to “CALL THE DAMN FIRE DEPARTMENT.” You can’t exactly get upset at me and say that I was rude to you, or shouldn’t be yelling. You started the fire, on purpose. I saved your ass. The least you can do is call the firemen on you fancy Iphone. You cannot complain that I’m being too hard, rude, or inconsiderate of you. You can’t complain that your tax cuts are being cut. You’re struggling trying to figure out whether to hire a new employee or begin that new yacht renovation before you take that trip to the Parisian Islands? First of all, your yacht looks and runs fine and wider screened TV isn’t necessary. Second of all, if you are able to hire a new employee and provide the benefits he/she deserves, you’re probably financially well enough off to be…fine and dandy.
I don’t think there’s anything that boils my blood quite like this. People are struggling right now. Struggling. Doing their DAMNEDEST to keep a roof over their heads, feed their families, and survive. I really wish folks could put themselves in someone else’s shoes to gain some perspective. Like I said earlier, my attack on the rich isn’t an attack on those who have done well for themselves, treat others with respect and kindness, and do well for the world around them. This is an attack on those who can trace the lineage of the wealth back generations, those who got the inheritance through coal, cotton, oil, railroad and any other dangerous, labor-heavy industry known for cutthroat dealings. My attack is on those who consider themselves part of a monarchy and those who want to bring back the dance of oil barons and railroad tycoons. Those who believe that they’re not only entitled to the wealth but also believe that they’re above or better than anyone else. This line of thinking has always, and will always, lead to dark, dark places. This line of thinking doesn’t support workers’ rights, decent education for everyone, or adequate and safe living conditions for all citizens. When your bottom line is profit, and no human right will stand in your way of that profit, it seems that all of these fundamental liberties are surprisingly easy to overlook.
Our American Democracy, in the words of the amazingly intelligent Dr. Melissa Harris-Lacewell, is about “shared power.” This translates to “basic decency,” “respect,” “treat others as you wish to be treated,” and, you know, the other things we were taught (or were supposed to learn) as children. The teacher would say to the group of children, bickering over who got to play with the Lincoln Logs next, that they should “share.” I think we can all agree that this concept is not complicated in the least. Everyone gets a chance, and everyone has an opportunity to build something with the Lincoln Logs, it’s only fair.
When did sharing go out the window? When did it become okay for The Koch Brothers to pay the teacher for exclusive access to the toys, and to amass a fortune that could easily end the struggling of several extended families? The moment we stop sharing, sharing the wealth, the responsibility, and the interest in the human rights of all people, everyone loses. If you can’t share, you get a time out. For many that time out is long overdue.
