A couple of recent letters regarding Occupy Maine show misunderstanding of the times we live in.

One writer calls the protesters the “entitlement generation,” while another claims that if they just work hard and stop whining, they can have a middle-class life and cozy retirement.

While utterly missing the point, these letters actually make a good point. The difference between today and “back then” is that many people feel that working hard and playing the game fairly will not help them achieve a comfortable life because the system that used to work that way has been rigged to support only the 1 percent.

As for a comfortable retirement, forget it. Most young workers know full well that no matter what they do, retirement is a pipe dream.

The whole “bootstrap” mentality from 50 years ago is now just a mean joke. There are no boots and no straps. They have been sold to China.

While it is still possible to make it, the chances are darn slim, especially if you aren’t born wealthy.

That’s why the kids are protesting.

Most have worked hard and would be happy to work more.

But there are no jobs, and many jobs that do exist don’t bring the benefits they did to the Greatest Generation.

It’s a rotten situation. Rubbing their faces in it by bragging about how things used to be is both cruel and ignorant.

Michael Casey

North Yarmouth

Some of the myths being repeated about the top 1 percent income earners include:

1. The top 1 percent wage earners are paying their fair share of taxes at 38 percent.

2. The top 1 percent wage earners are job creators in this country.

3. The top 1 percent wage earners would create fewer jobs if taxed more.

The repeaters of this misinformation must think that with repetition, this misinformation will somehow become reality.

The reality is:

1. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the top 1 percent paid an average income tax of 19 percent in 2007, less than wage earners making less income annually.

The 38 percent figure often used is the statutory tax rate for this income category.

In 1963 the statutory tax rate for this group was 91 percent, more than double what it is today.

2. Most small business owners are not in the top 1 percent wage earner category and do not fuel job creation.

The corporations paying the top 1 percent wage earners have, in fact, been job destroyers, making significant profits by moving jobs abroad.

In the last 30 years, job creation was fueled by young start-ups like Amazon and Google, companies that create jobs regardless of income tax rates.

3. Increasing the income tax rate on the top 1 percent may increase job creation — it did in 1993 when Clinton increased the tax rate on their earnings.

In fact, during Clinton’s eight years with no tax cuts, 22.7 million jobs were created. George W. Bush’s eight years of tax cutting netted only 1.1 million jobs.

We stand a much better chance of creating more jobs and gaining greater fiscal responsibility by taxing this 1 percent their fair share and using the recovered revenue to extend unemployment benefits.

Steven Kelley

Kennebunk

I just drove by Lincoln Park the other day for the first time since the “occupation.”

I was appalled at how disgraceful it looked to see the park cluttered with the tents, signs, etc.

The city of Portland officials should be ashamed that they are letting this abomination continue for a day, let alone for weeks and months on end.

But I doubt they have the fortitude to stand up to these occupiers who are signaling their disrespect to all of the law-abiding, responsible citizens of Greater Portland.

However, I can’t wait until this summer when I can camp out in Payson Park, overlooking the water, and assert my “right” to enjoy the same view amenity as Baxter Boulevard residents.

Am I not entitled?

Michael Clark

Portland 

Anti-religious message shows juvenile temperament 

Merry Christ-mas!

I’m starting to feel like I’m living in a world ruled by juveniles rather than adults.

Been feeling that way for quite some time now. Perhaps you are, too!

This applies to today’s criticisms of all religions, really, but since I’m a Christian, here’s my particular issue.

During this time of year, we always get the following messages: Christmas is a joke. Christianity is a cruel, heartless religion that has been used to harm countless people worldwide over the years.

But why do we rarely hear of the mountains of good done by the church worldwide over the centuries — an enormous story of love — unprinted and untold, and to what purpose?

No big surprise.

The juveniles are dominating the message and the national media. Thoughtful adult criticism and youthful rebellion are always necessary to keep us on our toes, but when that attitude reigns — and the grown-ups refuse to bring any balance — all we hear is “no one needs religion.”

The media, stomping its collective feet, professes to be all-knowing.

What proof does it have?

Why, look at the priest scandals and the evangelists who have sinned.

We get this message day after day, year after year, from the garbage on TV, in the movies, on the Internet.

And don’t get me started, please, on how this juvenile attitude has translated into our growing “nanny state” form of government!

For now, let me just say, this is Christmas!

I proudly celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

If you fancy yourself educated, study, really study, his words and his life. If you want a truly unconventional but “grown-up” example of sacrifice and love, just try to emulate that one.

Many from all religions, all of us flawed and imperfect, are trying to do just that.

Carolyn Baltes

Nobleboro

 

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