Commentary: On We Are the 99 Percent

By Eileen Kennedy Boisseau
Creativity + Social Change
University of Connecticut
11 October 2011

It was difficult to read the old English and interpret clearly what Benjamin Franklin was talking about. I believe that he was saying that those who are in power should use that power wisely and justly in their dealings with fellow citizens. But as Mr. Franklin says, there are also those forms of government that would turn things into a “tyranny”, and I think one in which the current government might becoming guilty of. In order to correct this, the general population should be entitled to education and therefore more wisely and fairly be involved in running our own country.

I am stunned to hear of the hardships facing so many. It was even more difficult to read these stories about my fellow citizens who want nothing more than a job and to provide for themselves and their families, and is being denied this opportunity. It is appalling that so many in this powerful democratic nation of the United States are struggling just to get by. I am stunned to read the words of my neighbors and their hardships. I am heartily saddened to know of friends and neighbors either living paycheck to paycheck or standing in lines months on end looking for that elusive job.

These are not people who are bemoaning that they are owed something. These are responsible individuals who would be happy if only they have the opportunity to have a job or have that job back and pay their own way. It is a fair expectation in a country as fair as ours – at least it used to be. People’s dreams have been shattered and people’s good faith efforts been stifled by lack of or outright denial of opportunity and lack of the government caring for their citizens. Losing homes, jobs, retirement savings and paying exorbitant prices for an education are not acceptable.

One gentleman defined the America of today as “corporatocracy” – an apt description if we interpret this to mean an America representative of and driven by corporate greed and denying the workers any share of profits. This description sounds tragically correct.