The point of this photo essay was that this is a global phenomenon. Those of you sitting smugly in Europe, where so much is provided for you, saying "I told you so", won't be laughing when the world currency markets collapse, taking the Euro down with them.
My story is not the story of a rich man receiving his comeuppance. My story is that of a teacher, one of the lowest paid, most overworked professions in the United States. I drove a 12 year old vehicle that I'd bought from my family because they couldn't find anyone else who wanted to buy it. I lived in a small condo, an hour's drive each way from the school, because I couldn't afford to live in the same county where I worked. I was forced out of my job because the school administration didn't have the balls to give me a pink slip after ten years of loyal service. I'd had two raises in ten years. Obviously, they determined it would save money to hire some greenhorn to take my place, because that's exactly what happened. That poor chump doesn't have a job there anymore, either.
I lived in the smallest apartment in my community for year before moving into the condo, tending a garden on a borrowed plot. I voted against Bush. Don't let U.S. Republicans fool you. They understand nothing of economics and care nothing for the well-being of this country or any other. Austrian school, my ass. The Austrians don't even practice so-called Austrian economics. Their beautiful country would be in ruins if they did. The Republicans apparently aren't aware that Austria is a social democracy. If they were, they wouldn't have a kind word to say about anything Austrian.
I bought green electricity, used green lighting fixtures, bought everything used when I could, and got all the use I could out of what I bought. I payed off my college debt, with no debt remaining but the mortgage on my tiny home.
The end result of these efforts? Half a dozen stress-related diseases, acquired in trying to live a simple life in service to others, that I can't be treated for, because I can't afford health insurance, and our government does not care for its people. My modest home, meager savings and aging vehicle, lost to bankruptcy. The only reason I'm not living on the street is because of the generosity of friends and family, who, I might add, are also AMERICANS, with very little to give in these desperate times. I am grateful every day for their kindness.
"God" had nothing to do with the global economic meltdown. Human beings had everything to do with it. We are in this situation because investment bankers, mortgage lenders, and hedge fund managers broke the rules. We are here because U.S. Republicans, the self-proclaimed stewards of fiscal conservatism, relaxed or revoked the accounting rules that made it possible for derivatives traders to make profits out of nothing. They will lie to the bitter end about their responsibility for this, the self-styled pundits of "personal responsibility", but the truth is there for all to see.
The next time you want to feel smug, whether you're a Republican or someone in another country where the shit hasn't hit the fan just yet, think of me. The majority of Americans are more like me than we are like the less than 1 percent of our population who perpetrated these crimes against humanity.
You can do your best in life. You can stand by your principles. You can participate in your government. And you can still be ruined by the actions of people with more power, more money, and more greed. So think twice before saying "I told you so." Think twice before you feel smug about something that hasn't really touched you yet. Yours may be the next neck on the chopping block.