Bootstraps don't do what you think they do.

"Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.”

Literally means “try and do the impossible.” It’s not some call to face a challenge and succeed. It’s not the independent American making their way unaided through tough times. It’s an acknowledgment of a person undertaking an impossible task.

It simply can not be done. We will hear it invoked soon. Why? Because our economy is rigged against us.

• Healthcare system that’s an unnecessary middleman scamming cash and withholding treatment.

• tax laws that favor the rich.

• Corporate welfare in the form of loans and subsidies in the hundreds of billions.

• Frozen minimum wage

• limits on bankruptcy for the average person, but not the wealthy.

• Student loans designed to be lifetime burdens

• Housing markets becoming rental markets.

• Real wages stagnated while the wealthy get obscenely more.

10 guys own the wealth of the bottom 50% of Americans… I’ve used this video in class for years. It’s not current, it’s worse today than when this was made.

The bottom line? We are facing a time when the few will try and take everything for themselves because they can. The many will be left to fight over the crumbs while our children go without. Without clean water, good schools, new clothes, food… and hope for a better future.

Now, what are we going to do about it?