I worked for the 2010 Census and had access to enormous amounts of information, so what I’m about to tell you is no surprise to me; and many of you are not aware of some of the information regarding past economic conditions in America.

Being a senior citizen has some advantages, which can become disadvantages if you care about the people of our nation. Let me explain.

I was born into a lower middle class family. We had housing and food, but little else; and we were happy. I was raised by a single mother who worked every hour her company allowed, and expected my brother and I to care for each other. I loved sports and school, and in many ways I believe my childhood was better than many today.

As I grew, I became interested in politics. It had always been a topic of discussion at family gatherings; several of my uncles had served in WWII and the future of their country was important to them.

I remember my first high school economics class. We were shown many graphs and charts, but one stands out in my memory. This particular one displayed income levels across the United States. There were three primary groups; the wealthy, middle class, and those living in poverty. I don’t remember the numbers, but my memory of the graph was that approximately ten percent of Americans were in both the wealthy and poverty levels; the majority was middle class. That was in the 1960’s; this is where we are today.

By early 2015 only 50 percent of Americans were considered middle class while the numbers of those in the wealthy class grew. The distressing fact is that those Americans living in low income and poverty levels had also grown.

We have heard Senator Bernie Sanders berate ‘income inequality’ constantly; this is what he is referring to. Our nation is moving towards a plutocracy; rule by the wealthy. A great part of this precarious situation is the fact that those who are intended to serve our nation’s people in Washington have moved into the upper class; some are considered wealthy. Politicians have a single goal after their initial election; reelection to establish their ‘profession.’ They support their piers; not the electorate.

Our founding fathers did not intend politics to be a profession; there is no honor in this situation. Although the base salary for the 535 men and women who sit in the House and Senate is $174,000, after two terms in office the majority have become millionaires. Where does this money come from? In addition, they have benefits comparable to the CEOs of major corporations. They are not forced to depend on social security and Medicare for their future; and oh, by the way, they are trying to alter these programs and use that money for their own concerns.

The number of those living at the poverty level is increasing daily. Many of these families are supporting themselves to the best of their ability, but working two, and sometimes three minimum wage jobs, is not sufficient to help them rise from poverty.

We don’t hear much from one party about the disparity in income between the wealthy and those living at the low income and poverty levels; they are not concerned. They are the party of the one-percent. It’s profit over people for them. Special interests have lobbyists who control votes in Congress through ‘campaign contributions.’ The working class and poor have no lobby.

America has been sold to the highest bidder; and that is not the American people.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE: WE MUST CHANGE WASHINGTON.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Tiffany

Author’s Page http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2