I am a 44 year old executive for a biomedical research organization. I have an advanced degree and graduated with little debt (less than $15,000) because I worked while I went to school. With my salary and investment income, I make over $225,000 per year and I have a net worth over $1M. I invested in education, family, and hard work to make the life I dreamed. I’m fortunate to have a great career in an industry that is growing and not just coming out of grad school now. However, I don’t consider myself among the 1% because I live in a high cost area and I support a wife and three kids. I don’t consider myself part of the angry 53% (income tax payers) because I realize when I was young and in school, I didn’t pay any taxes and benefited from government programs. Now it’s my turn to pay a fair share of taxes.
There are valid reasons why the Occupy Wall Street protests are gaining steam across the country. I am deeply concerned about the gap between the rich and the poor in our country. All my life I’ve heard how Latin America is described as collections of failed societies because of income disparity. Peasants in rags beg for food outside the high walls of opulent villas. But according to the Central Intelligence Agency (whose patriotism I hesitate to question), income distribution in the United States is more unequal than in Guyana, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, and roughly on par with Uruguay, Argentina, and Ecuador. This imbalance will threaten the continued American experiment in democracy. I love my country and I want democratic and a capitalistic society in which a rising tide lifts all boats. This is the America I want my for my children’s future.
I have a busy life and when I’m not working, I’m commuting home, attending baseball games and dance recitals, helping my kids with homework, enjoying a date night with my wife, involved in church activities, and maybe getting in the occasional golf game on the weekend. I don’t have time to protest, but I’ve supported the cause with a donation. I even stopped by after a downtown meeting to watch and support the Occupy crowd and witness the energy. Our country needs change and I’m willing to pay more taxes to help others. I am the 99%.