I am the 1%

I'm sorry for all of those people I may tick off, but I gotta say something.

The latest in a string of political fads, this whole Occupy Wall Street business sounds so kumbaya and modern, but if you get right down to it, it's basically socialism. They're arguing for freedom "to do what you will without the impositions of others." But in their minds, it's really freedom from consequences. The consequences of poor planning, inaction, fiscal irresponsibility, and selfishness. And then someone else gets to foot the bill.

Now, before you go all ballistic on me, I'm not saying that it isn't completely unfair that some people who have devoted their entire lives to a company have found themselves out of a job. And I'm not saying it's not unjust that a college student who worked hard for a degree is unable to find even an entry level job. And I'm certainly not saying that our government isn't broken and that health care is cheap or effective. Believe me, I am NOT saying that.

However, it is so in line with our American entitlement to blame some nebulous "1%" of rich, Wall Street bankers and corrupt government leaders--and then to lump any of us who are blessed enough to be financially secure in with them--for all of the problems the country is facing. Especially when it's the same government leaders they elected. I'm biting my tongue not to say "I told you so."

Wake up, people. This is where all the big-government hand-outs have gotten you: the most expensive healthcare system in the world, a never-ending list of inefficient government committees and practices that have us spiraling in debt, legislation controlled by lobbyists (because the legislators let them), and apparently 99% of you who are sitting around whining about it.

A little perspective from a friend of mine volunteering at a hospital in Malawi (and she would fall into that 1%, by the way):

Yesterday on Wall Street: Well-fed, well-dressed protestors drank Starbucks’ coffee, held up clever signs, and chanted “We are the 99%!”

Yesterday at St. Gabriel’s Hospital: A one-week-old twin died of starvation; her twin had already died shortly after being born. A mother and her baby died in child birth because it took the mother 3 days to get to the hospital and her uterus and bladder ruptured before she arrived. A 2-year-old boy died of cerebral malaria.

I ask the Wall Street protestors: “Who are the 99%?”