JULY MUSINGS

Ever notice how at a certain level of money, income, etc. people suddenly become more miserly? I am not sure at what level that is-I'm apparently not there yet. But at some point a fear arises that someone is going to take it from them and a conservative philosophy takes over. It's mine-mine-mine. No one else should have it. Yet, charity begins at home and those who have the most can also give the most.

I know I don't understand why we continue to give handouts to people and countries who hate us and laugh at us behind our backs but feel such loathing and, lets call it what it is, fear of those at home in our own backyards who we are afraid are going to take what we have. They haven't earned it, it's mine.

One friend put it this way-people still believe they can be part of the rich and elite and as long as they think that, they are willing to trample others to get there. The sad truth is, yes, there is that possibility through much hard work and a probably a lot of luck, but most of us will just be what we are reliant on our jobs and savings to see us through. Yet we continue to idolize the 1% who, trust me, are laughing at us poor saps who continue to defend "their" lifestyles in hopes of achieving the same.

Put it another way. What did you do with your tax break? Spent it on necessities and paying off some bills. What did the 1% do? Another yacht or off shore account. Not condemning just observing. We need to understand this and start standing up for those who have no voice and influence. There's a lot of us in that 99% if we only understood our power.