I have been reading this website for years. I love how intelligent the posts are and how thoughtful many of the comments can be. I'm not much of a writer mytself but I finally think it's time for me speak up, because I am so mad about what is happening to America and it needs to change.
crossposted to popletters.
I just read that Wall Street is expecting 90 BILLION in bonuses -- As much, if not greater than, before the recession. And every American will be giving these fat cats an additional bonus by keeping their taxes low if the repubs have their way - and knowing Obama, I am sure they will. Call me naive, but why aren't Americans outraged over this? Goddammit. It's making me feel sick. Sick like I felt watching the video on this dailykos post a couple days ago.
It seems like America has handed the keys over to the very rich on Wall Street and they are now locked away, far from the people they are lording it over. I find it surreal, even comical (as well as tragic), that while people are working three jobs to try to afford their groceries at Big Lot's, bankers on Wall Street are hiring midgets to dance jigs for them at their Mad Men wannabe parties.
One investment analyst booked hip-hop star Lil’ Kim for his Halloween party. Another paid Playboy bunnies to dance for guests behind a satin screen. A Morgan Stanley trader was sacked for hiring a dwarf for his friend’s stag night in Miami and trying to handcuff him to the groom.
And where is Obama? I voted for him, gave him money, had a sign slapped on my house, talked to friends, family, etc. I thought he was going to go out and fight his ass off for his base. Well, his base needs jobs. And giving these Wall Street more money is not going to translate into jobs. This has been demonstrated over and over.
Republicans have signaled that they may be open to compromise, saying they’ll prolong unemployment benefits in exchange for an extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. But shortly before Congress broke up for the Thanksgiving holiday, they blocked an effort to extend benefits, meaning that two million people will not pick up a welfare cheque in December.
I'm definitely not the most well-informed, well-read or most liberal person on this site. I probably haven't said anything here that lots of people haven't already said better. But I am starting to really notice that this country is going down a slide to a very bad place and I am afraid for my daughter and her future.
And my question is, why? Why does Wall Street need to get a treat attached to every sad little crumb the middle class needs in order to survive? What do these priorities have to do with the American Dream? Does man no longer care for his fellow man? How can this madness be stopped? Can Obama do it? Does he care enough to do it? Can it be stopped at all?