There’s Something Rotten In America

As the employee of a pawnshop in an economically depressed rural area with a VERY high rate of illiteracy, I see a lot of grinding poverty. The kind of poverty that spells empty bellies, crushed spirits, and desperation.

One of my customers, T, has a severe learning disability. He could not comprehend the lessons at school, and the teachers were unwilling or unable to help. His mother was illiterate, and could not help him complete his assignments. Tired of being made to feel stupid, which he is not, he dropped out of the sixth grade at age 14, and learned a trade.

His wife is mentally disabled, and can't hold a job due to various health problems. T works 14 hours a day to support them. They drive a busted down truck from the 70's, and live in a construction trailer. T's wife is given a weekly allowance of $3, so she can purchase a movie to watch (it's her only form of entertainment). They don't get enough to eat, as evidenced by their sunken cheeks and exposed ribcages.

Despite their precarious financial situation, they are happy. They love each other, and support one another through their daily trials. They are honest and hard-working, and not the types to complain about their plight.

They do not look for handouts or charity. T was saving money to "buy...a small piece of land" that he could call his own. The government just took his money. As a contract laborer, his income tax is not withheld. He stopped paying his tax debt to put groceries on their table. He just got a letter stating that the government was on the verge of seizing his trailer and his truck too. Unsure of what to do, he came to the shop so I could help him navigate the red-tape of the IRS.

The end result was not good. T will have to make weekly payments of $50, until the $600 in back taxes has been re-paid. Our own government has effectively taken food from this man's mouth, and financially crippled him, all over $600. $600 that he wanted to pay, because he doesn't like owing anyone, but he just didn't have the money to pay it.

That ain't right, ladies and gentlemen. I am mad as hell, and I don't know what to do about it, except to tell ya'll.

Would anyone like to join me in the class war?