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Zero Population Growth for the Rich!

Dear ETS!,

During this election season, it burns me up that Republicans and Democrats can't talk about poverty here in the U.S. and shrinking government services to the poor. I hate it that both parties call poor people freeloaders and use that as an excuse to cut services. I'll tell you who the freeloaders are.

Today a rich old lady client came into the office where I work to meet with one of my bosses. She was scheduled to arrive at 11:00, but came in at 10:20. She's a little slow moving, but can walk just fine. When my boss pushed aside a project and came out to meet with her a half-hour earlier than planned, this is what she said: "Oh, I'm sorry I'm early, but I came by Access."

"What?" my boss said.

"Access," she replied, her face lighting up. "It's a shuttle service provided by the federal government so everybody can get out and around."

I nearly vomited on the spot. This lady who's worth several million bucks couldn't call a cab. I know disabled people who can't get Metro's shuttle service to pick them up on First Hill--much less Mercer Island, where this bitch lives. And the shuttle service is funded mostly by state money: sales taxes paid by you and me.

The problem isn't that poor people take advantage of the government and its services (what the hell else are these services for?). The problem is that the government can't keep stingy rich people from using services that weren't meant for them. (And that goes for big businesses, too!)

Yours in disgust,

--Cranky Prole Bitch