An attitude hangs over us. It is mean and cruel. In America. A fiscal bullying is occurring.
They shouldn't get free stuff. Free food, free phones, free health care. They don't deserve a boot strap - some say. It is impossible to pull yourself up without one. Without a net.
At minimum wage you live pay check to pay check. Sometimes there isn't enough for food. Free food. Some detest free food - taxpayer funded food. Food for the most vulnerable. Children. Old folks. Single mothers and the mentally ill. Get a job. You are lazy.
Can't pull themselves up without boot straps.
At minimum wage you can't afford a family - but you still want one. You have one. You make ends meet. Sometimes.
You deserve the pursuit of happiness. We deserve the pursuit of happiness. Like everyone else. This pursuit of happiness is guaranteed on an old piece of paper that has been so easily forgotten and set aside. But only some get the pursuit of happiness. They seem to think that financial worth equates the pursuit of happiness.
Some think personal wealth is a blessing. From God. From someone. Where does that leave them? Those that barely survive?
They want their kids to have new shoes, new clothes, back packs for school, school supplies, school pictures, field trips and birthday parties. They love their children.
They want their kids to have dance lessons. Music lessons. Summer camps and sports. Vacations. Transportation to school. The ability to move from city to city - state to state. A full refrigerator.
They want safe homes. Safe neighborhoods. A functioning car - they dream of something fancy. Something colorful. Electricity. Utilities. Clean water. A bed with blankets. A table for homework. A light.
Some day they want to own a house. They want to buy into the American dream. Fulfill desires. A computer. The internet.
They have dreams, desires and fantasies.
They want a job with benefits and stability. The ability to make money. To have advancement. They want to be free from public assistance. They are proud.
They need those boot straps. The don't need to be shamed. None of us like poverty. We all want out.
We all need those boot straps.
We all want to be in control of our own destinies. The pursuit of happiness. Afforded to only some. Desired by all.
Poverty.