“There is a ladder of success in America,” Cantor wrote. “However, it is a ladder built not by Washington, but by hard work, responsibility and the initiative of the people of our country.”
- Eric Cantor’s speech before he cancelled because of Occupy Philly protests.
Can we stop for a minute and acknowledge that this concept only works when all people are equal? In a country that has historically suppressed members because of their skin color, gender and sexuality, idealistic viewpoints like his simply do not reflect reality. If at any point a group of people has been kept from advancing by another group through any means, they and their future generations are laden with a disadvantage that does not simply allow them to climb up a “ladder of success.”
Federal minimum wage in this country is $7.25/hr
40 hr work week = $290/wk
52 weeks = $15,080 before taxes with no time off
That leaves very little room to move up in the world. If you are single, maybe. Have kids, sick family members, health problems, car problems, etc? Forget about it, that ladder he’s talking about isn’t for you. Maybe in another life.
