Javaman
Javaman's JournalAnn Romney and the 40 years to late reality...
Mrs. Romney's now odd remark about "struggling" is just so bizarre given her very very privileged life style.
But you know what? My mom was a stay at home mom.
My mom raised for kids while my dad worked.
But here is the difference.
My dad worked for the Dept of Sanitation for NYC. He was a mechanic.
He worked 40 hours a week + overtime.
He was in a Union. He was paid a living wage. He had complete and full benefits. He had a pension.
He was able to support a family of 6. He was able to put all us kids through college. He was able to save and eventually buy a small cabin in Canada for our summer vacations. He was able to leave my mom a nice sum of money so she wouldn't have to go without when he passed away. My mom received his pension and his SS on top of the money they saved together.
Did my mom struggle while raising us? Yes. Did she have to find new and creative ways at times to make ends meet at times? Damn straight.
But interestingly, once upon a time in this nation, the life that Mrs. Romney enjoys and has enjoyed for a life time, wasn't always just for the rich. I'm not talking about the 5 Cadillacs, or the dozens of homes. I'm referring to the ability of a parent, either male or female, to stay at home and raise their kids while the spouse worked. (granted in the 50's 60's and 70's when the kids in my family grew up, it was dominated by stay at home moms)
We were of modest means, but when you contrast what families, what women in general and what single mom's and dad's have to do today to make ends meet or just survive for that matter is actual hardcore struggling. Stay at home moms or dads is a virtual thing of the past.
It's a really sad thing to say, that in this day in age, people today look upon those past times, (I described above) as something so impossible, so incredible, that the comments by Mrs. Romney only puts a gigantic spotlight on 1) just how far we have fallen as a nation 2) how far we have fallen when it comes to workers rights 3) how far we have fallen in regards to women's rights and 4) how completely out of touch the GOP is in in regards to the income gap and the struggles of the poor.
This is the conversation we should be having but alas the right wing controlled media dictates how the words flow and just what the mouth breathing audience of American TV views should be angry about.
You're right, I'm not you...
but I can empathize.
No, I haven't had your experiences, but I can understand and relate from my own experiences.
When we seek to teach and end up dividing, we learn nothing and help no one.
While I haven't walked in you shoes, I have walked miles in my own and use that experience to try and seek out common ground to understand not just your plight, but all people who have suffered.
I have tasted the bitterness of poverty and have eaten from the golden apple of success. I have had to beg for food and I have had high dollar meals served at no cost to me. I have felt crushing defeat and the sweet beauty of victory. I have been judged and I have judged. I have had the hateful looks of scorn because of who I am and the embracing arms of acceptance.
I will never ever know what it's like to be a minority in this nation, I will not know how it feels to be looked upon, in some circles, as second class. I will not know what it's like to be passed over solely because of the color of my skin. I will never know these things.
However, it does not stop me from trying my best to empathize with the plight of a fellow human treated unfairly or killed because of the color of their skin.
Hate, ignorance and racism are exhausting. Acceptance, empathy and understanding is fulfilling.
We learn from positives and belittle ourselves as humans with negatives.
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Member since: Fri Jun 11, 2004, 11:37 AM
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