I see that one of the Right's responses to "We Are The 99%" is to try to shame those 47% of Americans who are too poorly paid to have any Federal income tax liability.
Most of their stories seem to be about how hard they work, and how they have the same problems as everyone else, but they're not blaming Wall Street.
I thought maybe I could add MY perspective...
I was fortunate to be born into a middle class white family at a time when America was investing in the middle class.
I was fortunate to have two parents with above average IQs, who valued education. I was fortunate to an inherit above-average IQ and an affinity for science.
I was fortunate to go to school at a time when fear of the Soviet Union had led to a big increase in funding for building schools, and in society's perceptions of the importance of education, particularly science education.
I was fortunate to be able to excel in school without working nearly as hard as many others who didn't excel. I was fortunate that I scored highly on my SATs without having to prep for them, so I got into a good college.
I was fortunate that my parent's middle class earnings, which put us well above average but nowhere near the top, were sufficient to pay for 4 years of college for as many of their children as wanted to go.
I was fortunate to have a natural affinity for Molecular Biology at a time when Government Funded basic research in Molecular Biology has just spawned the Biotech industry. I was fortunate to have learned an uncommon skill at a time when that skill was valuable. I was fortunate to find a mentor who valued my contributions, and with whose help I have built a career that pays well enough to afford my mortgage, that covers most of the healthcare costs for me and my family, and also a modicum of fun.
I have worked hard to get where I am, but many, many others have worked harder and not gotten as far.
I, too, am the 53%, but , but I am not under the illusion that I got here on my own.