Basic Necessities

This entire economic division began as a Wall Street protest about the fact that 1 Percent of the population holds the vast majority of the nation's wealth, while, at the time, 99% of the population holds about 20% of the nation's tangible assets of value.  There's been some splintering of the "99%" as well as a few more individuals entering the status of millionaire.  The sad situation is, the standard of living for many of the now 98%, has dropped even further.

While the official report states about 50 million Americans are on the food stamp program, some sources cite statistics indicating that up to 1/3 of the American population receives some sort of assistance for basic necessities, such as food and/or shelter.  There are more government food programs than just food stamps. By the time the commodities program is included, reduced school lunches and many receive breakfast, as well, community food kitchens, week-end meal packs provided by various community businesses, and that doesn't include church pantries; there are many, many Americans in need.

With all these statistics, there are two more statistic that we often fail to consider.  Private sector jobs now, primarily amount to minimum wage in Fast Food and Big Box or health care.  Much of the nation's work force works for the government, while much of the nation's working age has found a way to not work, and still receive a check . . . from the government  This brings me to the point, I'm trying to make here.  Whether it's a pay check or assistance, the perpetual motion of our economy is now financed significantly by the government by a large percentage on both ends, and many government jobs amount to nothing more than processing the applications for assistance programs.  

We've had it easy in this country, many call it good.  Even American poverty was well above the standard in many undeveloped nations, but that standard is proving to be unsustainable.  This 99 or 98 percent vs. the 1 percent is not really the division at all, because even The 1 Percent are dependent upon the perpetual motion of the economy.  The Other 1 Percent, although most of us are still involved on some level, the dependence on perpetual motion, has been redirected to a simple sustainable supply.