An Unpleasant Endorsement (even more politics)

When I came of age and cast my first ballot, I considered myself a Republican. Even though I despised the morality police tactics of the GOP, I believed in the Republican perspective with money and government. I always thought that you should work for what you get and get what you work for. Welfare, food stamps, and charity were all things I despised because I believed they catered towards the lazy and invited corruption. But above all, Democrats really pissed me off.

That’s why this pains me.

Now that I’m a full-fledged member of the workforce, I realize politics and government isn’t as simple as black and white (despite the fact our politicians only seem to know how to vote for partisan issues). I went to college. I work 40 hours a week. I feel like I’m doing my time…yet I feel like I can’t get ahead in this world. I doubt I’ll ever earn/save enough to buy a house. Having children will be a major fiscal strain. I’m trying to do all the right things I was taught to do as a kid. I got an education and a white collared job. And yet I’m making practically the same wage I made when I graduated…while my purchasing power has greatly decreased (thanks to rising food, fuel, and housing costs). I see no prospects to change this. No more money on the horizon. No promotions or growth. This is my life…with little money and no hope for more money in the future.

And this was a month ago before the bottom fell out of the stock market.

The fact of the matter is this country is split between the haves and the have-nots. Those on the bottom are trying to work their way up and make a better life for themselves–while the ones on the top are desperately trying to everyone else out. I look at my job. The executives all make more money than me. They have fancier cars and expensive clothes…but they’re really no better than me. I don’t think they’re smarter than I am or necessarily are better at their job: they somehow had to opportunity to get where they are. And there’s really nothing wrong with that. But what bothers me is those at the top have no interest in spreading the wealth or allowing the little people like me work our way up to their status. We don’t get raises or promotions because they control the money and the power. This is not just angry-man rhetoric: I’ve fought numerous times for a raise and got nowhere.

The rich get richer. Athletes, entertainers, and musicians are making tens of millions of dollars a year. The salaries of those at the top keep climbing. Look at the public wages. Jim Carrey became the movie industry’s first $20 million dollar man with the “Cable Guy;” now numerous actors who regularly make that much per film. Jose Canseco received a mind-boggling $25 million contract for five seasons; now Alex Rodriguez makes that much in a single year. These salary ascents have occurred over the past 15 years…while people like me will contain to earn the same wage. The gap between the rich and the poor is growing and it’s the middle class that’s getting squeezed out.

I never had aspirations to be filthy rich. I’ve never been motivated by money. I’ve always wanted a nice, simple life with financial security without the wonder of “can I afford it?” Sounds like the dream of a rich man? Not quite because I don’t want stuff. I don’t need expensive cars or fancy TVs. I live a frugal life (last week I bought a $1.24 shirt and $2.48 shorts: I call it my $4 ensemble) and I’m happy with my possessions.

Even though my desires are meager, I’m not getting anywhere in life…and I’ve come to believe the rich are doing everything they can to horde the wealth. Sure, they might go through the charade of charity and participate in fundraisers. But how many of them are willing to cut their salary so the people who work below them are able to earn more? There are no charity golf tournamenst for the middle class. Those who work aren’t getting the same kind of financial gifts that homeless dogs or illiterate children receive. But we–the middle class–are expected to do our jobs and be happy with the wages we earn.

When it became apparent Barrack Obama was going to receive the Democratic nomination, I immediately sided with John McCain because a vote for Obama was a vote for socialism. I told myself I didn’t believe in socialism. Socialism was a small step from communism and there’s nothing more non-American than agreeing with the Reds. I think I thought that way because it’s the ‘right’ way to think–something to be proud in. Americans shouldn’t be lining up with our hands out expecting gifts from the government. We work for what we get and get what we work for.

But it’s just not that simple anymore. I work. I try. I’m not mopping floors or filling Pez dispensers. I went to college because you’re supposed to go to college to get a good job. I got a ‘good job.’ There’s no backbreaking labor or disgusting toilets. Yet here I am–barely able to survive–without any hope of getting anywhere else in my life. I don’t want cry misfortune or elicit your sympathy–I believe people should take personal responsibility for their lives. The problem is, those at the top aren’t given me a chance to get in. The rich are doing everything in their power to keep their wealth…and it’s just not fair. I’m trying–I’m just not succeeding.

Is socialism really that bad? Five hundred years ago there were kings and peasants. I read about it many times in history class. The kings were generally ruthless and selfish; the peasants lived in filth and poverty. It’s acceptable today to feel sorry for the peasants and say life wasn’t fair. But in reality, it’s not that much different than it is today.

The princes were born rich and inherited their fathers’ kingdom. In today’s world, the children of entertainers and executives are born rich and don’t have to work until graduating from college. They get good jobs through good connections from their parents. They stay rich–either through inheritence or employment–and have children who are born rich. The cycle continues.

That’s why this pains me. The current system clearly isn’t working. Look at the price of ice cream. Look at the stock market. Look at my paycheck. I see no reason the rich shouldn’t pay more in taxes. It gets to the point where enough is enough. Money shouldn’t be passed down from generation to generation. One’s chance of success shouldn’t only derive from the womb which they were born. If you work hard you should be able to get somewhere with life.

Even though I refuse to vote, I have never refused to give my opinion. I think–and I’m still very, very uncomfortable with this–it would be in our country’s best interest if Barrack Obama becomes our next president. I still don’t believe in welfare, food stamps, and charity–but I also don’t believe in nepotism and wealth hording. I just want a chance to succeed and if socialism gets me there, so be it.

But I’m not happy about it.