We are the 1 percent

I grew up solidly middle class, with parents who were not wealthy, but could certainly afford the American Dream of a nice little house, an annual vacation (we drove), and the occasional extra like ballet lessons for their kids.  My husband grew up on welfare, and didn’t even know what the SATs were until his guidance counselor told him that he was smart and he should take them.  We have worked very hard in our lives, and had a great deal of luck, and we now live a very comfortable life.

This dress cost more than you could earn working 40 hours at minimum wage.  I bought it for my 2 year old, although she never got around to wearing it.

She’s 5 now, and I explained that for every hundred cookies, 1 person has 40 of them, and 99 people have to share all of the others.  She goes to a private Montessori school, so she understood (they do lots of abacus play).  Even she knows how unfair that is.

We are the 1% and we have more than we know what to do with.  I support higher taxes for social services and safety nets, and for the infrastructure that makes a society strong and vibrant.  I do not support higher taxes for endless wars and corporate welfare.

We stand with the 99%.