99% Opposing View Point from one of the 99%

As I was cleaning my bathroom the other day I looked at the packaging of a product and realized that the package claimed that I didn't have to do anything because it does it for me. I thought what a peculiar thing to post on the side of a package. Later that day I was driving around our town and realized that all of the parking meters are now automated and have a credit card holder on them. Although, I like the convenience of a credit card I thought about how this eliminates the need for me to ensure that I have change so that I can pay the meter and that it eliminates the meter readers job. All around us jobs are being taken over by credit card readers and products that do everything for us. We have become accustomed to the ease of technology but at what cost? How many jobs have been lost due to technology? You may agree and begin to complain about how your job has been taken away and that you too are part of the 99%. However, all of these changes only demonstrate that as society has evolved so must you.

Recently, I completed my second masters degree in education. After its completion I realized that it was a pointless degree as there are not that many jobs out there for educational leaders and the ones that are posted are taken by people that have been working in that district for years. At first this agitated me but it also made me think about society and how I have to change my habits and way of life in order to evolve into this newly changed world I live in.

The change is my career choice was also made because a friend of mine was discussing this book that talks about the 4 hour work week. He informed me that it is about how instead of trying to become rich you live life and enjoy its journey. My husband and I then began talking about how this philosophy makes so much sense. We don't know if social security will be there for us when we retire,  and our 401 K policies will hopefully sustain but we aren't sure about that either. Therefore, we decided to apply this philosophy into our lives and I began a fair trade e-commerce store called Planetary Nations. Although, I don't know as much about retail as I do about education it is something that I know I can adapt to and even though technology hasn't been my forte I know that it is something that I must learn to become comfortable with. I am adapting to this new world we live in because I have to. Not, because it is an easy thing to do.

America is a country that is founded on people "pulling up their bootstraps." When things become difficult we meet the challenges and work to ensure that we aren't complacent. However, now we are doing just the opposite. We are looking at government to resolve our problems rather then re-inventing ourselves. I know that it isn't easy and that it is a scary thing to become solely independent but it must be done. Instead of complaining how the middle class isn't growing and the top 1% is taking everything away why don't we try to adjust to the situation, meet it and overcome it?

Daily I post notes from the Move On Movement to my FaceBook page as I believe that the statistics regarding the disappearance of the middle class are startling. However, there must be a way to close the gap. If more of us were to meet the challenge of the situation and try to overcome it then together we will rise out of this. We are Americans and we must work on joining together to reinvent ourselves, educate and assist our fellow peers and get our country back on its feet. In my belief it is good to voice our opinions but the protests just give our candidates more key points to add to their debate and add fuel to their fire. I like most of you have begun to lose faith in our government. I don't feel that I am ever represented in the scheme of things because I am not asked to vote on American issues that effect our nation.  But, our government is only as strong as its people. So, let's join together to peaceably make America a leading country once again.

Say "Hello" to a Veteran

A few days ago I was watching the local news and the anchors discussed how men and women were coming home from Iraq. Instead of having a positive tone to their voices they stated something along the lines of "what may look like a regular event to most of us is a special one for these families." Then on the screen you saw Veterans being greeted by family members that they had not seen in a long time. The homecoming pulled on my heartstrings as a few tears began to dampen my cheeks. Meanwhile, the news anchors voices echoed in my head and disturbed me. How has it become a normal event to see Veterans come home from war and be welcomed with only a warm hello from their families?

I have never experienced the parades and celebrations that used to accompany the homecoming of Vets back from the World Wars. But, being a lover of history I have seen the pictures of an enormous flag hanging over the side of the Hudson Building in Detroit (symbolizing their gratefulness to our Vets) and pictures of parades that were held all over the country and attended by everyone. My grandparents used to talk about all of the dances that would occur when Vets came home. Maybe back then we had actual victories to celebrate. The celebrations went deeper then just celebrating the victories they were a tribute and thank you to all of the people that had fought for our country.

Have we as a country forgotten all about the most valuable attribute of American society? Have we forgotten how to be indivisible? As the country gets torn apart due to greed of the upper classes, and political parties trying to conquer their seats; what about the rampant Americans greed that occurs daily by not providing Veterans with the respect they deserve? Next time you see a Veteran make sure that you say "thank you." They all deserve to be respected by every American as our lives are protected by them.