With the upcoming election, we hear a lot about the middle class. It's been a mantra of the presidential candidates during the primaries, ad now you often hear it during the general election process, more often by one side than the other. But, from my understanding, there are morethan jsut the uber-wealthy and the middle class in America, what about the working poor? The citizens of America who barely make off of minimum wage and are struggling to care for their families aswell as themselves. Do they not matter simply because they may not possess a top degree from a prestigous university, belong to a high paying job or pay a butt load in taxes? If the middle-class has been obliterated, and now the uber rich are complaining, how do people think thw orking poor feel? Sure, Congress has passed a bill that would up the minimum wage amount, but it's hardly a living wage. With food prices rising exponentially, and fuel becoming a luxury, it's ten time as hard to make it in America. I have a personaly connection to the plight of the poor because not only have I lived that life, it's a constant reminder everyday. I see my mother get up ay 5:00 a.m. to go to her retail job that barely pays her enough to put gas in the tank. Sometimes, even the thought of buying a bus pass seems out ofreach due to lack of funds. Can one assume that a person that belongs to the working poor class, is a lazy uneducated person?! Sure, if they are narrow minded. But I know for afact that that belief system is just an excuse to free one's mind of the responsibilty he/she has to their fellow Americans. Many people who work the low-wage jobs are very hard workers, and proud of their work ethic. However, they are not paid for their worth and are often ignored or looked down upon.
Maybe I'm dreaming, but I feel that we all deserve a better life in America, not just for some who have the money to control the powers that be. Is is safe to assume that just because someone works a low wage job that they aren't ambitious or have dreams an aspirations? Of course not. I'm sure plenty of people whom are low-wage workers dream of going to college, giving their children a stable environment and or having enough money to retire on. But how can one think about the future, when the present is demanding their undivided attention. When you can hardly afford transportation to get you back and forth to work, college seems to be a pipe dream. No, thats not to say that if you dream it you can't achieve it. I'm a firm believer in hardwork and overcoming the odds, but sometimes, you need alittle help.
So, while we're thinking aof resurrecting th middle class, let's also keep the working poor in our minds as well.
