This is what democracy looks like. New York General Assemblyat #OccupyWallStreet #OWS

This is what democracy looks like. New York General Assembly at #OccupyWallStreet #OWS, originally uploaded by john m flores.

There used to be a time when someone with a little bit of skill and a healthy dose of motivation could make a decent wage for themselves and their family. That was the middle class - the American Dream. That was this country's unique strength, and that's what carried us through two world wars and to the top of the global heap.

Over the last 40 years that dream has been dying a slow death. The chances of carving out a decent living has diminished with each generation, as we have ceded job after job and industry after industry to foreign competition. The very motivated and talented will still find a way to improve their lot in life. They always do, regardless of political structure or economic climate. But until we can make that formula work for a larger swath of Americans, I would say that our leaders - political and corporate - have failed us. Unless things change, we will be ceding our vaulted spot on the global stage within most of our lifetimes.

This is why I support #OccupyWallStreet #OWS