With this election season, the difference between candidates on either side of the political spectrum has been that of stark contrast. Between all candidates left in the race, there's not any common ground. All represent an extreme. The first woman, a socialist Democrat and a politically incorrect billionaire businessman. A majority of people find who find themselves leaning towards Donald Trump often beg the question "Why take money from the rich to give to the poor?" They feel that they earned their money and that those below them haven't, thus the idea of “taking the carrot from the bunny.” If this is you, listen up please.
I see where you're coming from, but I couldn't disagree more. You're stuck in your perspective, the very limited view you have from your fancy glasses in the balcony of the opera. This is a sort of privileged tunnel vision. It's easy to say you're wealthy because you achieved the grades needed to graduate high school, got good scores on your standardized tests, paid application fees for college, filled out the FAFSA, paid the enrollment fee, tuition and random fees, applied and paid for graduate school. Good for you if you did.
Here’s the problem: That's not a reality for everyone.
Imagine being a child born into poverty. For generations, the family has been in poverty. His parents couldn't afford education and had to drop out of high school to help support their family. This family is struggling to pay rent, and going through the process of applying for section 8 housing. The parents are working over 40 hours a week in minimum wage jobs and are rarely home. He doesn't have the money to take SAT/ACT Prep courses or for a tutor. He struggles to understand the concepts in the ever-changing curriculum of high school, and because of the changes, the parents not only don't have time to help, but they lack the same understanding that the boy needs help with. He doesn't know if he will graduate and he is completely unprepared for state and national tests. Can you truly say that child’s flaw a lack of effort?
Yes, this exact story doesn't apply to everyone, but many people can't afford the things you have handed to you. While you're getting a car for your 16th birthday, there are children whose families are being evicted. While you're buying the newest iPhone, there are others who don't have access to cell phones or internet. I don't doubt that you work hard, but much of your success is due to the family you were born into. Do you believe that you would have the same success if your family was struggling to pay rent and having to eat free dinners at homeless shelters? Do you believe that college debt is something a person can take on when their family is in already in debt? If so, I think you're living in some sort of fantasy world that has allowed you to lose your sense of reality.
Still not buying it? Consider Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This has been something of common knowledge for those of us who received an education.
The idea is that you need the lowest level to be met in order to move up the pyramid. When you left for college, you were most likely meeting your social or esteem needs. Concurrently, some of your peers were unable to meet their safety or physiological needs. Do you understand what a difference that can make?
More importantly, when did it become such a heinous and outlandish idea to help those less fortunate? Sure, you or your parents may pay higher taxes, but that's because you can afford to. There's a reason that we don't have a flat-tax. If everyone had to pay the same amount, some would have to consider not seeing a concert or going on vacation, but those making less money may not be able to pay rent or may have to just eat junk food in order to make up for the amount of taxes they had to pay. Our system makes sense and it works, for the most part. Most importantly, it helps people who need assistance. These people are not lazy, they were simply not offered the same opportunities that you were.
If you didn't want to hear this, I am truly not sorry. I am sorry that you're ignorant, but I hope I broke your ignorant bliss, because some people you consider to be “not working hard enough” live in a state of constant anxiety and awareness. They can't afford your ignorant bliss.
