Voices
Watching John Boehner and
the Republican Congress during the past few years has been
a stunning confirmation of their
seeming disregard for the “Usedto-Haves.” As they pull down
salaries of $174,000 a year, unparalleled benefits and the option
of voting themselves a raise, their
selfishness is unrivaled as they
barricade health care reform,
knowingly shut down the government, cut SNAP benefits and
eliminate extended unemployment payments.
Congress doesn’t have the
stones to call up their lobbyist
buddies and corporate honchos
and insist they hire more unemployed Americans for the American companies they celebrate and
boast about.
The press calls it “The Great
Recession.” It actually was the
“Great Theft.” In the wake of this
very public, often-glossed-over
theft from the middle class, the
perpetrators have been revealed.
We know the American corporations without the courage, scruples or heart to help us, the ones
responsible for the recession and
the politicians who put the toxic
policies in place. We “Used-toHaves” aren’t stupid.
KATHLEEN
ANN
HUFFINGTON
02.16.14
As a “Used-to-Have,” I’m beyond angry. I’m not a “Never
Had.” I know what it’s like to pay
bills on time and have a little left
over. I remember vacations and
pedicures and going out to dinner. As a “Used-to-Have,” I know
exactly what Corporate America,
lobbyists and politicians have
taken away from me. The “Usedto-Haves” and the children of
the “Used-to-Haves” won’t for-
If we can’t get decent
paying jobs today, there’s little
hope of getting a corporate job
with benefits in the future.”
get. The “Used-to-Haves” are
educated. Many of us and our
children have amazing talent and
academic honors. We know how
to get things done. And though
all of the odds appear to be
against us, we must refuse to give up hope.
Kathleen Ann is a freelance writer
from New England. Her story is part
of a Huffington Post series, “All Work,
No Pay,” profiling Americans who
work hard and yet still struggle to
make ends meet.