Middle class must save America from wealthy manipulators

The founders of our nation sought to throw off abusive control of kings. They planned a government body whereby citizens would achieve self-rule through elected officials. Our leaders would be responsive to the welfare of citizens and loyal to expanding our nation. We rose to become one of the most admired and emulated countries in the world.

A keystone to American success had been a burgeoning middle class. But today the American public allows debt to control their destinies. Credit-card payments, college loans, underwater mortgages serve to shrink middle class resources and in turn diminish national prosperity while lining the pockets of wealthy raptors. While some of this debt comes from failure to plan, too much can be attributed to predatory services. Also, government debt sets a poor example and leads to faltering infrastructure and areas of economic stagnation. While low-paying jobs have become more numerous, the middle class loses ground.

Those who benefit from the debt of others acquire the will and means to manipulate lawmakers. Corporations gained the status of personhood, and their lobbyists visit Congressional offices to gain control of agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, banks, natural resources and other usury opportunities. Manipulators aspire to control not only our executive and legislative branches, but the Supreme Court as well.

We are socially striated with the uber wealthy, followed by those of the overpaid top echelon of the entertainment industry. Today’s rich and feted heroes include athletes, performers, models, and pundits rather than astronauts, scientists, diplomats, and humanitarians. Those who devote their lives to bettering society as do teachers, law enforcement officers, soldiers, librarians and other social servants are rarely provided the financial respect due them.

The middle class must find the fortitude to get themselves out of overbearing debt before retirement. Dystopia will no longer be just a movie; it will be a way of life. “1984” took a longer time to get here, and if we don’t rebuff lobbyists and legislators who are on the take, we will see an altered world with serfdom reprised, trolls in charge, philosophical conformity enforced, and the earth and the oceans poisoned and sterile.

Empires rise and fall. If the wealthy choose to destroy America, the middle class must save it. The population should vote for people most like themselves. Perhaps they already have.

KAREN COODY COOPER, LAKE WORTH