I don't want or need to be rich.

[stevedeshazer]

I just want my fair share for working hard for 40+ years.

So after the 40 years I've worked so far, why do the rich want to take my modest earnings away from me?

I don't want a pony or a Maybach 57.

I just want Ms. D and I to keep our home and leave it to our kids and to have enough money to eat and stay warm in winter and maintain and give back after we retire by volunteering. You know, give back some of what we earned to the community that made it possible.

I don't want the kids to have to have shitty jobs and work for half what they are worth. They are college-educated. We paid for that, not Wall Street.

The Greedy Old Pig Party wants to take away the American Dream from our kids and grandkids to further enrich themselves.

Is that too simple an explanation?

Nope.

[yardwork]

1. Greedy Old Pig Party. That's a good one.

[Faygo Kid]

2. I just want to leave DC and go back to my home state and not kiss anyone's behind.

I too have worked 40 years, and I want FREEDOM. Plus, I want to volunteer for progressive causes, which I can't do now. I don't want money, just health, friends and freedom. A modest but decent roof over my head, maybe a dog and cat, a walk in the fresh air in the morning, and a good book or two. That, apparently, is too much for the Kochs and Fox News.

[stevedeshazer]

3. Yes, indeed.

They want to steal that from us.

As if they don't have enough already from the fruits of our labors.

[Faygo Kid]

9. I forgot to add: I want to be with She Who Must Be Obeyed.

She's yelling at the TV now while watching football. She's the most important, adult daughter a close second. They are both better than I deserve.

[stevedeshazer]

34. Sounds like home.

:)

[hfojvt]

46. I didn't like that last line

"and a good book or two. That, apparently, is too much for the Kochs and Fox News."

As it happens, I spent seven years operating a new and used bookstore. The name of the store was Koch's Books, which as my family has pronounced the name since at least 1875, reads as Cook's Books. Seven years. And you could find many, many good books there, some of which I gave away when I closed, but some of which I still own.

I know, I know, I have become pork since late 2009 when Chuck and Dave were discovered by the left. When people say "the Kochs" they are never talking about me and my family even though that is the moniker I have used myself to think about me and my family. Now those two at the head of the evil empire get to drag MY name through the mud and get to become THE Kochs, whereas little old me and my brother, dad, uncle and cousins are just "the other white Kochs" and adding further insult, everybody, even my own former supervisor, is going to mis-pronounce my name, like I am a damn soda pop.

[Faygo Kid]

49. No offense intended!

I suppose you and Ed Koch share that misfortune. . .

[hfojvt]

52. unfortunately

Uncle Ed has also lately become a disgrace to the family name.

Now Sam-bam http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Koch is said to be an excellent punter. Even pronounces the name right.

Same with this guy, who also has a connection to Sam http://www.successmagazine.com/jim-koch-brews-passion-into-sam-adams/PARAMS/article/1066/channel/15

Then there's this guy, fallen in Afghanistan http://blog.nj.com/njwardead/2008/03/army_cpl_steven_r_koch_march_3.html

and this guy, fallen in Iraq http://iraq.pigstye.net/article.php/KochBrentW

and this guy, who used to work in DOD http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_721598.html until he got fired for being a whistleblower under Obama.

Many more than two people with that name, already somewhat disgraced by Frau Ilse http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilse_Koch

although somewhat redeemed by Einstein's mother - Pauline Koch http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einstein_family#Pauline_Koch

and, of course, Nobel prize winner Dr. Robert Koch http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Koch

[ThatsMyBarack]

4. I don't care to join the rich crowd.

They have nothing I want.

[Frustratedlady]

6. Amen! They haven't learned what the real treasures are. EOM

[onethatcares]

5. It looks like we're on the same page.

I don't want to lose my home due to accident or illness, I just want to see my grandkids do well and smile, I want my kids to be happy in their careers and lives.

I don't want a million dollars or a lear jet, don't want to own an island.

I want to live in peace with my neighbors.

[stevedeshazer]

7. +1, you've got it.

The righties have this meme that if you work hard, you'll become a bazillionaire.

I worked hard. So did Ms. D. All we expected was a fair deal.

[grasswire]

8. that's the difference between HOARDERS and those of us who are grounded and balanced

The 1% are HOARDERS. HOARDERS foul their own circumstances. HOARDERS require intervention and are particularly disturbed and unhappy.

[Arkansas Granny]

13. I think you've got something there.

[GoCubsGo]

10. Me, either. I just want a decent-paying job.

I just want to be able to afford the mortgage on my modest house, not have to worry about replacing appliances if they break down, or being able to buy new tires and keep up my 15-year-old car (or replace it).

I just want to be able to afford to go to the doctor for a check up. I haven't seen one since 2007, before I got laid off.

I just want to not have to worry that my cat might get sick, and I won't be able to afford the vet bills.

I just want to be able to afford to replace the 20-year-old TV and the 8-year-old computer.

I want to be able to run into former co-workers without having the humiliation of having to explain why I still don't have a fucking job.

I want to not have to rely on my family's generosity to pay my fucking bills.

Is that asking too much?

[stevedeshazer]

27. No, it's not asking too much.

You're right on.

[Worship Money]

11. These monsters are framing the issue

It's not just that people are rich. You work hard, you have a net worth of a million, a million.5 or so, whatever. Yay. That's not even close to how this country operates.

It's that the rich, as a whole, seem to have an almost sexual drive towards becoming OBSCENELY rich. It's like Gekko said- not just wealthy enough to live easily and fly first class. Rich enough to own your own jet. Hundreds of millions of dollars, however you can get, legal or illegal, ethical or unethical.

But the fun's just getting started. They've demanded that they be allowed to act with impunity and be applauded and admired for this behavior, despite what it might cost to others. Now, they're taking it to a new level. Not just ignore the poor...objectify them. Take more from them, force them to pay more taxes. Punish them for their indolence.

[TBF]

17. They act that way because that's what capitalism rewards. Change the system

and you might see a change in behavior.

[Initech]

12. I don't want to be rich either, but I want my fair share.

I don't want to be drowning in credit card, car, house, whatever debt.

I'd like to have money to travel and see the rest of the world.

I'd like to be able to live comfortably not having to worry paycheck to paycheck.

I'd like to not have to worry about every expense or purchase I make.

And I want my paid vacation.

Do you get that, you rich bastards on Wall St???

[Enrique]

14. that makes you unamerican

as a good American, your life should be devoted to climbing to the top, and if you don't make it you should feel like a failure. :sarcasm:

[moondust]

16. That's right.

You're supposed to envy and adore those multibillionaires and work yourself into the grave trying to become one. That's how the system works.

Shame on all the lazy failures who don't crave billionaire status and spend their lives trying every trick known to mankind to get there.

Shame.

:sarcasm:

[stevedeshazer]

28. Yeppers.

Climbing to the top these days means falling off a landslide.

[me b zola]

40. This is an important point

An integral part of the 1% ripping us off is their selling of the idea that we must all slave away our entire lives to create enough wealth so that we can separate ourselves from those who have not "made it".

They have completely taken the conversation away from the fact that people should be able to live in safety and security regardless of their economic situation to a conversation that says if you work hard and long enough to can overcome the bleak reality that exists for most of us. The 24/7 saturation of marketing gadgets and things is what lures people into accepting their version of reality. Once you accept this frame, then you can easily dismiss those who are suffering because they "didn't work hard enough". Winners and losers, you know.

Mr Z and I have always had modest goals and desires for our lives. We want to live simply in peace and security. Tell this to a conservative and you won't have to wait long for their eyes to bulge from their head and the condensation to drip from their voices as they tell you that you are lazy. Ask them why we are here, what is the purpose of life on earth and you are then subjected to their interpretation of the Book of Revelations, fire and brimstone.

I want to live simply in peace and security & cooperatively with my neighbors & community. I have no desire to be wealthy. I am the 99%.

[spinbaby]

15. I want security

I want to know that what we have won't be ripped out from under us because someone becomes sick, disabled, or unemployed, or because the market crashes and takes out our 401k's. In the system we have now, only the mega-wealthy can be secure.

[End Of The Road]

18. I have never aspired to being rich.

I was a child of the suburban middle class (tending to the lower-middle, not upper middle), had a great public education (and public higher-ed), married happily, and have been quite content maintaining the family middle class traditions. We adore the small house we own, are happy with the two used cars we own, and a great weekend for is puttering around the house and playing with the dogs.

To me, this is a RICH life. It's so much more than most people in the world have, and I'm grateful for what we have and proud of what we have accomplished.

Until recently.

Now I hear that it's my FAULT that I'm not rich. That I haven't worked hard enough. That I have no right to expect affordable insurance, or even safe food, that my country has been wrong to enter into any social contracts with me, that it is now right for my country to reneg on those agreements.

I'm 57. Some days I wish I was much older, because I really don't want to see how much lower this country can go.

[stevedeshazer]

29. We are the same age.

Your story is familiar.

[Egalitariat]

19. Is someone trying to take something from you?

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Islandlife]

39. Good question

Don't be disparaged by crude remarks

[randome]

41. I'll second that.

This is what Faux News and their ilk want -to MAKE it class warfare.

It is not the rich who are the enemy. Everyone has the right to make their own future. It's the legislators who refuse to do their damned jobs and regulate the economy so it's more fair to everyone, not just to those who already have money.

It's human nature to seek prosperity. Capitalism didn't become the central tenent of the world economy because billions of people were somehow tricked into it.

[Paper Roses]

20. Ditto! n/t

[sarcasmo]

21. The sad thing is the Greedy ole pig party gets dumb middle class and poor folks to vote them into

office.

[Mimosa]

22. Excellent!

Steve, you expressed what many in the just hanging on middle class want and need.

We have experienced our incomes decline by about 40% in inflation adjusted dollars since the 1980s.

Now they want to take away from us the pittance of Social Security and medicare which WE FUNDED during our productive years.

I LOVE the 'Greedy Old Pig' Party' to describe the GOPpers.

[End Of The Road]

25. And may I add...

We've seen interest rates on our savings and investments fall to almost zero.

I recently heard an investment advisor call it "the hidden tax".

[stevedeshazer]

32. Thanks.

It's all true, isn't it?

[Abin Sur]

23. While I don't need to be rich, I'd certainly like to be.

But I haven't put in the neccesary effort to be rich, so there you go.

[handmade34]

24. no point in it

if we lived in a humane, civil society

[Abin Sur]

33. Of course there's a point.

I'd be able to have more stuff!

[ret5hd]

47. you could try bei g just an honest straight-forward thief.

[Abin Sur]

50. As opposed to a dishonest thief?

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. :shrug:

[ret5hd]

54. No, as opposed to a dishonest banker/ceo/hedge fund mgr.

No point at all really, other than to display my disdain for those who legally get rich off the backs of others.

I guess also to display my distaste (as opposed to disdain) of those that believe that getting rich is an end unto itself.

[Abin Sur]

55. I guess we look at the world through different lenses.

I guess also to display my distaste (as opposed to disdain) of those that believe that getting rich is an end unto itself.

I don't find that distasteful in the slightest.

[ret5hd]

56. Of course you don't.

Were you afraid someone here was going to think otherwise? :shrug:

[Abin Sur]

57. I have no idea what someone here was going to think.

And in any case, I'm not afraid of their opinions.

[Marazinia]

26. I want to be more than a green number on a balance sheet

And I will be. Even if that means becoming a red number.

[reformist2]

31. America is not inherently capitalist - It is what we want it to be.

We don't play by the rules other people have made for us, we make the rules. And if free market capitalism starts to look like a load of crap, we have the right to change that system to whatever we want, whatever seems more fair and equitable. And I believe we will, sooner than most people think.

[TBF]

36. Amen. This country "started" as one big European land grab in which indigenous

folks were attacked and many murdered. Not a great beginning. Male white land owners were the only folks who had any say (and in many ways it remains that way today when you look at the billionaire list... well, with the exception of crazy Walton ladies). But we can take this anywhere we want to go, and I think most of us want some variety of socialism. A more equitable wealth distribution, green policies, basic level of subsistence for all.

Here is cite for the billionaires list i cited for anyone who is interested: http://www.forbes.com/forbes-400/list/

[Scuba]

35. Thanks. Echo's my sentiments exactly, especially about the kids. n/t

[femrap]

37. I don't even know what a

Mayback 57 is. Studies have shown that HAPPINESS is not increased by more money. Around $50,000/yr is the breakpoint. More than that and happiness doesn't increase.

My needs are simple as well...healthy food, shelter (well-insulated shelter), good nutrition and shelter for my animals, non-gas guzzling transportation, and good conversation. Yeah, a job that actually uses my abilities would be great as well.

[Codeine]

38. I'll take rich. Don't NEED it, but I'll take it. nt

[randome]

42. Same here.

I have twin daughters to put through college. Do I want enough money to do that and still provide for the 3 of us and still buy new computers and stuff? You bet!

So that means more than a subsistence income.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be prosperous. There IS something wrong with our legislators treating the already rich like royalty.

[WildEyedLiberal]

44. Same here.

Sorry, I want a bit more out of life than a roof over my head and being able to eat and stay warm in the winter. That's the absolute bare minimum every person on earth DESERVES, but it seems to me like you're ignoring the entire point of Maslow's hierarchy of needs if you insist that all you aspire for in life is subsistence living.

Wanting to actually enjoy life isn't a crime or a sin. Wealth obtained at the direct expense of others is another thing altogether.

[Zorra]

43. "why do the rich want to take my modest earnings away from me?"

This is a quotation about the greedy rich, attributed to the Cree people:

"Only after the last tree has been cut down, Only after the last river has been poisoned, Only after the last fish has been caught, Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten."

Those that want to take these things away from you are severely emotionally and psychologically disturbed. They are empty inside and think that the only things that can fill the vast emptiness inside and make them feel better and whole are money, material goods, and power.

Since these things can never fill the great black pit in their hearts, souls, minds, and spirits, they will take all that they can from everyone and everything in order to try to fill the desperate need of their empty spirits.

Kind of like trying to make themselves happy by chronically smoking crack, (except that their "crack" is material wealth and power). They experience fleeting moments of gratification followed by intense despair when they get more wealth and power, repeated over and over again, never achieving the goal, because that can never make them happy.

To crack smokers, this phenomenon is often described as "chasing the dragon".

There can never be enough, because they are continually trying to fill the aching hole in their lives with nothing.

The rich people that want to take away your power and the things you need to survive are "chasing the dragon".

And that's why we must stop them ASAP, by any non-violent means necessary. They are seriously disturbed, and they have seized control of many world governments, including our own. They will eventually destroy our planet because of their sickness, if we do not stop them relatively soon.

OWS seems like a great place to start the process of removing their power over us to me.
:hi:

[stevedeshazer]

45. Great response!

Thanks.

:hi:

[Uncle Joe]

48. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, stevedeshazer.

[Prometheus Bound]

51. I've always thought the only good thing about being rich would be to have plenty to give away.

[deutsey]

53. Blasphemer!

:sarcasm:

I agree. I don't have any desire to be what is exalted as "rich" these days. I want a meaningful job that contributes to something I believe in and that pays the bills while providing for my family in ways beyond just food, clothes, and shelter.

I can dream, can't I?