The 1%
“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from
the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”
Several years ago, National Geographic Magazine published a story about the bombing of London, during World War II. Of the many striking images, nothing was more eerie and yet inspiring than the photographs of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, walking through the rubble strewn London streets, encased in smoke, and smoldering in destruction. In the background, you could see St. Paul’s Cathedral, with its’ 1400 hundred year history, still standing, though the Nazi’s had most definitely tried to destroy this church, which is built upon the highest point in London.
St. Paul’s is not only the final resting place of Mr. Churchill, as well as notables like Florence Nightingale, T.E. Lawrence, and Lord Nelson; but it is also the church where Prince Charles and Princess Diana were married, where England gathered to honor Queen Elisabeth II’s Golden Jubilee, and home to the American Memorial Chapel, where 28,000 Americans, who lost their lives on their way to England or in England, are honored for their service during World War II. It is not an insignificant building. It was also, until recently, the sight of one of the many Occupy movements; though British courts have finally stepped in to return a bit of the dignity which this building is due.
A few weeks ago, we received hate mail. In the letter, Kate was told that she was part of the one percent, obviously referring to those who are part of the Occupy Wall Street movement, and consider themselves to represent the majority of America and the citizens of the world. The mail came from a person who has pretended to be unemployable, receiving thousands upon thousands of dollars from unemployment insurance; refinanced their house, taking out exorbitant amounts of cash which was used to buy a luxury car, then of course took part in a short sale, and forced tax payers to provide what she believes she is owed. They are also one of those unremarkable human beings who live to file meaningless law suites, against anyone, just to make a quick and dishonest dollar.
Do you know the type? “Catholic Charities please help: I cannot pay my electric bill. Aunt Sue I need money for groceries. Senator I am disabled give me money!” This person proudly proclaims to be the majority of America – really? They are always looking for a way to milk the system, trying to take advantage of whomever they can; and do not care who has to foot their bills. A person who is always complaining, while trying to be the center of attention, no matter what the occasion – everything has to be about them. They are actually too lazy to have camped out with the Occupy movement, but will gladly forward email about what the government must do for them. Does she represent ninety-nine percent of society? Is this the face of the Occupy movement?
I have seen the Occupy movement in several cities, around the country; and this fall, when the movement began, I was caught up in one of their parades in Boston, which interrupted both motorized and foot traffic, demanded a rather large police force, to keep order, and made the normally beautiful streets of Boston look rather unsightly. The Boston movement was robust during the unseasonably warm autumn, but I have to wonder if they have fared better than the Occupy Columbus, Ohio, group? I absolutely had to go around the block and take the picture below; truly this was all there was to the Occupy movement – we did see someone inside the white tent.
Who is the one percent that the Occupy movement is protesting? What is required, to be painted with a disparaging brush, of the one percent? If instead of camping out in downtown, you wake up every morning, and go off to work, so that your mortgage can be paid, food can be put on the table, and gas in the car, are you really part of this evil one percent?
Are you part of the one percent? Are you one of those one percent of Americans who puts up with a job that is less than perfect, and a boss who has more bad days than good, and a pay check which has not kept up with the cost of living? Do your vacation days get used up staying home when your child has a cold, your mother needs to go to the hospital, or your neighbor has a fall? Is your car a year or two too old; because insurance and taxes keep going up, and you are determined to pay your fair share? Have you forgone dinners out, hobbies, and holidays to make sure you are putting a few dollars away for an emergency or a deposit into your child’s college fund? Are you baking cookies for the PTA, volunteering to be a Scout leader, or supervising Little League, so that your children are able to get the best chance a at better life?
Do you know the one percent? Do you know the mentor who spends countless hours a year helping a young person become a responsible adult? Do you know the police officer or fire fighter who puts her life on the line, day after day, regardless of the unexpected pay cut? Do you know the teacher, who shows up every morning, offering priceless knowledge, wisdom, and experience? Do you know the doctor and nurse who without fanfare or praise volunteer weekly at the sliding scale clinic, trying to give back? Do you know the person who spends long weekends pulling weeds and painting their house, trying to keep their neighborhood beautiful and ensuring that their neighbor’s house does not drop in value any more than it already has – thanks to all of those others who have walked away from their mortgages?
Are you beginning to wonder if the one percent may not be misnamed? Is ninety-nine percent of America really doing nothing more than camping out and blocking traffic? Do we really believe that ninety-nine percent of America has walked away from their jobs, families, and responsibilities just to stand around holding a sign? I do not think that the so called ninety-nine percent is the majority of America.
America is hurting. Americans are faced with dire circumstances, and really it is “There but by the grace of God go you or I.” It does not take much for a perfectly happy little life to fall down around you in ruins. Unexpected situations can wreak havoc on our life. People you love can die, illness can invade your body, jobs can be lost, roofs can collapse, cars can be crashed, hurricanes can hit, and lightening really can strike; but what will you do about tragedy and calamity? Are we really saying that the best way to deal with hardship is to hold up a sign and stop bathing?
If that is how ninety-nine percent of Americans and those around the world are going to behave, then I want to be part of the one percent. I want to be an Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant to America who began his career as a laborer in a bobbin factory, at 13, earning one dollar and twenty cents for a six day week, twelve hours a day; and ended it creating what would become U.S. Steel, earning him the title, of the second richest man in the world, after J.D. Rockefeller. He made a vast fortune, which allowed him to be an amazing philanthropist, believing that we should all have access to a library! His philanthropy was not limited to building libraries, but it is worth noting he would never give any city the money needed to build a library that would not commit to providing the land for the building and a budget for the operation of the library.
Carnegie was and is not alone, in believing that those who have been blessed should, and so often do, help those who are less fortunate. Am I really the only person who has ever benefited from listening to NPR, without sending them a regular check of support? Have you ever noticed all of those people who have endowed public television or contributed to museums or parks? I very much wish I had that kind of fortune.
Have I ever had an opinion on how others spend wealth? Do I wish Bill Gates was spending more money, in his philanthropic efforts, in America? Yes! But more importantly, I am happy that he and his wife believe that they have gifts to offer the world; and they should offer them as they see fit, even if there are Americans going to bed hungry tonight. Do you think that Bill Gates was influenced by Andrew Carnegie? I do.
I do not believe that the Occupy movement has adequately expressed anything; and I think it incredibly immature and idiotic that anyone should believe that those who have dedicated their lives to camping in downtowns, across the world, are accomplishing anything. If they are right, and there is this evil one percent, then here is to the one percent who has decided that in tough times you tighten your belt; you do not throw it out and demand that someone else buy you a new one, more in line with current fashion, so that you can look spiffy on the picket line. That is all for now.
