One of my friends, Paula Lee Bright, wrote last week about how Baby Boomers have had their retirement nest eggs destroyed. I remarked at the time, that I had lots to say on this subject, but wanted to avoid the Politics (I have no problems discussing politics on this blog)- and had written extensively on this subject in various other blogs and publications.
I also wrote to various colleagues on the 6th of August about a phenomenal event that happened in Israel. You think it can’t happen here. You hope it won’t. But, given the emasculation of the US Middle Class, the 30+ year trend to reverse the upward mobility dream that has been sold to all Americans, I fear the development here. The rich in America are getting richer at the expense of the poor and the middle class. It is a concerted effort and is among the primary aims of at least one of the major parties.
I know, they will tell you I am exaggerating. I know, they will tell you I am mistaken. They told me that in the mid-1960’s when Blacks were unable to vote. We helped changed that! They told me that when it was clear that Vietnam was not being fought with any goals in mind (other than to not lose… not lose WHAT?). We changed that! They told me that no one ever unseated a President, but we nobodies from New York proved them wrong. (Unfortunately, the gun lobby won- by letting crazy folks get guns, Bobby Kennedy (A”H) was shot down in a hotel in Los Angeles, when he was about to crest and become the Democratic nominee, but that is not the subject of this article.)
On 6 August 2011, more than 250,000 Israelis protested across their country. From Tel Aviv (200K) to Jerusalem (30K), as well as in scattered cities (>30K). Their issue: living costs and social inequities. These were middle class folks complaining about the rising costs for food, fuel, education, child care, and housing that are outstripping their salaries. They complained about the widening gaps between the rich and poor, with the concentration of wealth being held by fewer and fewer.
Tomorrow night, there will be a 1 million person march in Israel. (We shall see.) It will have its largest component in Tel Aviv (Israel’s largest city, akin to New York in America). And, it will ensue in at least nine other cities, There are tent cities set up across the country that have been continuing the protest of a month ago. Their calling card “Where were you on September 3?” is reminiscent of the protests here in America of the 1960’s. (It also reflects the other question- Where were you on November 5, the day Yitzchak Rabin, the Prime Minister, was assassinated.) Stay tuned to see what really happens.
But, we have to keep these facts in mind. Israel has a strong economy. If it were a larger nation, its economy (with a real GNP of $220 billion) would be among the Group of 8. And, Israel’s population is far more homogeneous than America’s. There are more common points- not the least of which- even, if attenuated- is imminent danger from its neighbors.
There are only 6 million people in Israe-l. Between 4 and 5% of its population participated in August 6th, even if only in a few places. Change this situation to America- and that would be 15 million folks demonstrating. If even 500,000 show up tomorrow night- that would be equivalent to 27 million Americans. If they do reach 1 million, that would be equivalent to 50 million Americans demonstrating for better jobs and salaries across this nation.
Things have to change…
I totally agree, Roy. Something has to be done with a better distribution of the wellbeing which, ultimately, will derive in a bigger middle class. The reduction of this is population a common occurrence in Latin America also.
I am not sure about the “how”, though. Northern countries in Europe like Finland and Sweden have gone for a progressive but dramatic tax rise, but that is very unpopular.
Gustavo:
One of the things America SHOULD have done was to extend the tax cuts they did- without including those changes for those making more than $ 250K to $ 500K (the exact delineation would be subject to the removal of certain preference items that also need excising from the code).
I, for one, think that many world leaders are going to be watching exactly what happens in Israel- because it IS a wealthy nation, it used to have the benefits that Finland and Sweden provide, and the percentage of people protesting is very large.
The Arab Spring provided some inkling. Those that held power ruthlessly thought they could continue- Qadafi is beyond under retreat, and al Assad is about to finally be toppled. Lebanon’s shadow ruler is under indictment (the Hague) and Burma/Myanmar is trying to determine how to deal, too.
We live in interesting times.
Roy
world-wide they need to change. After 2 major corrections and this one not yet over, the option of retirement is not there for the majority of the baby boomers
Things do have to change, but I hear that all the time, for years now and nothing is changing. In fact, it seems we are doing the sames things over and over again expecting a different outcome, and I know that is a popular quote from someone!!
Roy, I saw something briefly that said Warren Buffet was able to get a $1 Billion tax cut (loop hole) which I can imagine he probably even gets much more than that. And he also invested heavily into BofA. I am not as knowledgeably as you are on all these things, but when I read and hear stuff like this, I tend to agree with you, that the rich and poor has an alarming increasing gap.
When will it stop or change? How does a person like me, make the change? I’m told to sign petitions,which I do, I’m told to write my congresspeople, which I have done, I’m told to vote, which I always do, I’m told a bunch of things but what will it take?
Wow, you get me going on this because the main reason I am more upset with current events is for our son. I see our children’s future to be very difficult. And their children, I wonder what they will have waiting for them. It is concerning and there really is no way not to talk about the “P” word, because it all stems from that.
Lynn:
I understand your frustrations and feels completely. It has been a real issue for me for about 10 years, as I saw the trend- and saw no one else was writing about it.
I have had discussions (with right-wing associates) who, believe or not, may not agree with my methods, agree with the trend that bothers them, as much. The difference is they won’t discuss it publicly.
I tried to remember where I learned political activism, where I learned to coalesce people into a movement. and, for the life me, I can’t recall. Getting engineers to realize the world was changing in the 60’s was not the easiest target, but it was done.
The only place where I see similar processes now is with Dick Armey and Karl Rove. The difference is that they have hired frontmen to present their cases, while they pull the strings in the background. Why? Because if the average Joe saw who was running the show- and for whom they were shilling- they would not join their movements. And, that seems to be the norm in America.
Even in “complaint” and “protest”, corporate lobbyists have found a way to get their way. That’s the fist place to effect change.
Roy
How amazing and inspiring to think that we can make change happen! =) Very sneaky of the governments and other people in power to continue convincing us that we can’t or worse yet, that there aren’t any problems to begin with. I love your examples for change and I think we need to continue reminding each other of events like those and of what will happen (is happening?) today. I had no idea what was going on in Israel!
Thanks as always for being such an awesome informer! =)
Thanks for your comments, Samantha!
We need to harness our passions to change the world to make it better for us and our children.
Roy
I have been noticing the rapid rise of prices at the grocery store. The stores run a few specials each week, but the majority of the prices are going up, up, up.
I agree that the U.S. middle class is in trouble. Baby boomers are finding that their years of saving for retirement will not sustain their standard of living. People need to downsize and live within their means or they will face a dismal economic future.
Prices are rising and salaries are stable- which means decreasing in constant dollars.
Therein lies the problem, Janette!.
Roy
Roy, I appreciate the insight and expertise you share on topics like this. We effect change in the places and ways we see we can make a difference. Like Lynn, I always vote (and read up on what I am voting for beforehand) mostly because it took so many years to become a citizen that I truly treasure the value of my vote. I sign petitions to protect Social Security, create accessible and affordable health care and insurance and other very important issues. And I appreciate those who have the passion and knowledge to go deeper in the world of politics and economics…it is something I am not equipped to do. Instead, I focus my energy on making changes in the world of cancer survivorship – because that is my passion. This is where I have the energy and tools to truly make a difference and a mission that inspires me to be like a pit bull about demanding new tools, including coaching, to address quality of life issues. So to Lynn, I would say, great to ask someone like Roy about how people like us can make a difference AND everyone can do this but I believe we must find the cause that speaks to us if we want to not only support change but also create it.
I hope you write more on this, particularly as you watch what is going on in Israel. I can support change in politics and our approach to the economy but I choose to lead change in a different arena.
Tambre:
FANTASTIC comment! I have NOTHING to add to those sentiments.
Roy
Many people sit around and wait for change to happen, they look over to the person next to them and wait for that person to make the first move. We need to change that, in the famous words of Gandhi “be the change you want to see in the world”.
Because if we leave it to the next person, Karla, it may be change THEY want and not what we need!
Thanks for the comment and the visit.
Roy