# We are the 53% **URL:** \ **Category:** PolitiSUCK\ **Created:** [October 26, 2011, 11:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827 "2011-10-26T11:04:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/1 "2011-10-26T11:04:53Z")
This one I can get behind. > **[The 53%: We are NOT Occupy Wall Street](http://money.cnn.com/2011/10/26/news/economy/occupy_wall_street_backlash/?npt=NP1&hpt=hp_t2)** > > Occupy Wall Street has created a backlash movement, whose participants proudly proclaim they are the 53% of Americans who are responsible and pay federal income taxes. > **[We Are The 53%](http://the53.tumblr.com/)** > > Those of us who pay for those of you who whine about all of that... or that... or whatever. ![http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/2011/10/26/news/economy/occupy_wall_street_backlash/frank-decker.top.jpg](http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/2011/10/26/news/economy/occupy_wall_street_backlash/frank-decker.top.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/2 "2011-10-26T11:13:47Z")
It’s a tough world out there…with work and responsibilities and all. ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/3 "2011-10-26T11:16:43Z")
Yup. ---
**Author:** ![Mike93](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mike93/32/7325_2.png) [@Mike93](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mike93)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/4 "2011-10-26T11:16:48Z")
This whole menatality that the 99%ers are lazy scum is pretty ridiculous…of course all you’ll see in the media is the bad apples of the group, however many of the supporters have jobs, have served this country, and are well educated. ---
**Author:** ![95dime](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/95dime/32/7514_2.png) [@95dime](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/95dime)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/5 "2011-10-26T11:20:31Z")
Why is it that 47% of americans don’t pay federal taxes? This numer must be including children right? ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/6 "2011-10-26T11:21:45Z")
Nope. If you choose to take part in a protest that has no goal or purpose then you’re an idiot. If you want “corporate greed” to end you’re an idiot. I couldn’t imagine not having a job and spending time standing around doing nothing, much less holding up a sign blaming someone else for my lack of employment. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/7 "2011-10-26T11:22:18Z")
> [@Fry](#): > > Nope. If you choose to take part in a protest that has no goal or purpose then you’re an idiot. If you want “corporate greed” to end you’re an idiot. > > I couldn’t imagine not having a job and spending time standing around doing nothing, much less holding up a sign blaming someone else for my lack of employment. What if they offered to pay you $100 a day just to sit there? > **[EXCLUSIVE: ACORN Playing Behind Scenes Role in 'Occupy' Movement](https://www.foxnews.com/us/exclusive-acorn-playing-behind-scenes-role-in-occupy-movement)** > > The former New York office for ACORN, the disbanded community activist group, is playing a key role in the self-proclaimed “leaderless” Occupy Wall Street movement, organizing “guerrilla” protest events and hiring door-to-door canvassers to collect... ---
**Author:** ![Gus](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gus/32/5112_2.png) [@Gus](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gus)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/8 "2011-10-26T11:29:23Z")
> [@95dime](#): > > Why is it that 47% of americans don’t pay federal taxes? This numer must be including children right? I think they mean when you receive your w2. If you get a return or not, correct? ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/9 "2011-10-26T11:31:05Z")
> [@Gus](#): > > I think they mean when you receive your w2. If you get a return or not, correct? but if you’re earnings are below a certain number you don’t have to claim (legally). I don’t know that number off hand. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/10 "2011-10-26T11:33:14Z")
> [@95dime](#): > > Why is it that 47% of americans don’t pay federal taxes? This numer must be including children right? > [@Gus](#): > > I think they mean when you receive your w2. If you get a return or not, correct? > [@ProgRocker](#): > > but if you’re earnings are below a certain number you don’t have to claim (legally). I don’t know that number off hand. I hope you guys don’t vote. READ! Understanding this stuff is really important because the media is too busy filling your head with BS that the top 1% are the problem. [http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Nearly-half-of-US-households-apf-1105567323.html](http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Nearly-half-of-US-households-apf-1105567323.html) ---
**Author:** ![boxxa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boxxa/32/5045_2.png) [@boxxa](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boxxa)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/11 "2011-10-26T11:34:52Z")
“You want to occupy something? Occupy a job.” Lol!!! YES. I hate the OWS movement but I agree with this one. I pay a shit ton of taxes (33%) because I have nothing to write off. Debating adopting a few children to start taking deductions. ---
**Author:** ![superfan99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@superfan99](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/superfan99)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/12 "2011-10-26T11:37:55Z")
> [@95dime](#): > > Why is it that 47% of americans don’t pay federal taxes? This numer must be including children right? Nope, people that don’t pay income tax. [http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/numbers/displayatab.cfm?DocID=2408](http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/numbers/displayatab.cfm?DocID=2408) If you’re looking at the % that pays no income or payroll taxes, it’s only 13.4% ---
**Author:** ![boxxa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boxxa/32/5045_2.png) [@boxxa](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boxxa)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/13 "2011-10-26T11:38:18Z")
I am entertained at America tho. We now have a movement that is against another movement. The rich 1% are probably watching and shouting “Dance puppets dance!” ---
**Author:** ![drvnkd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drvnkd/32/109615_2.png) [@drvnkd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drvnkd)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/14 "2011-10-26T11:42:54Z")
I am the 47% ---
**Author:** ![boxxa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boxxa/32/5045_2.png) [@boxxa](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boxxa)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/15 "2011-10-26T11:46:45Z")
^^^ what is your secret? ---
**Author:** ![drvnkd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drvnkd/32/109615_2.png) [@drvnkd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drvnkd)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/16 "2011-10-26T11:48:21Z")
I’m just here to look pretty. ---
**Author:** ![Gus](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gus/32/5112_2.png) [@Gus](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gus)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/17 "2011-10-26T11:48:23Z")
> [@JayS](#): > > I hope you guys don’t vote. READ! Understanding this stuff is really important because the media is too busy filling your head with BS that the top 1% are the problem I was unsure. Taxes are taken from my paychecks, but I get a return in Jan. Am I part of the 47% freeloaders? ---
**Author:** ![Joe](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/joe/32/7219_2.png) [@Joe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Joe)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/18 "2011-10-26T11:50:10Z")
We went back to school. We earned degrees. We got jobs. That’s no longer how it works. Now replace “We got jobs” with “We applied for hundreds of jobs with no callbacks because there are experienced people willing to take entry-level work, so we’re on unemployment or slinging fries.” ---
**Author:** ![boxxa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boxxa/32/5045_2.png) [@boxxa](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boxxa)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/19 "2011-10-26T11:53:29Z")
> [@Joe](#): > > We went back to school. We earned degrees. We got jobs. > > That’s no longer how it works. Now replace “We got jobs” with “We applied for hundreds of jobs with no callbacks because there are experienced people willing to take entry-level work, so we’re on unemployment or slinging fries.” Liberal arts degrees aren’t really a major selling point. Anyone I know who worked hard in a big school, focused on their career and continually tried to make connections, and worked on a valid degree to make themselves needed by companies all don’t have jobs, they have careers. The people who barley got by, didn’t really care, and expected to make $70,000 because some study told them they would be making that when they got out of school are the ones living at home “slinging fries”. ---
**Author:** ![superfan99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@superfan99](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/superfan99)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 11:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827/20 "2011-10-26T11:53:57Z")
> [@Gus](#): > > I was unsure. Taxes are taken from my paychecks, but I get a return in Jan. Am I part of the 47% freeloaders? only if you get 100% of your income tax back. Here’s a breakdown of the numbers from 2006. Breaks it down by state too. [http://www.taxfoundation.org/news/show/1410.html](http://www.taxfoundation.org/news/show/1410.html) For example. Someone in college or just out of high school working a low paying job that isn’t claimed as someone else’s dependent isn’t likely to have any income tax liability. A single/divorced mother of 2 making 35 grand a year could conceivably have 0 or negative income tax liability. They’d still have Soc Sec and medicare(payroll tax) liability. A retiree that’s living solely off of Social security would potentially have 0 income and payroll tax tax liability. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/we-are-the-53/217827.md?page=2)