Mind you, we have a population up here of about 20K, so this is a BIG deal
There's Occupy Sacramento, Occupy SF, and Occupy Reno ...even Occupy Las Vegas...
But Occupy Tahoe? really? :evilgrin: hellyeah!
Ya well, you know us mountain folk are a bunch of damn hippies...lol But there is actually quite a big 1% population that owns much of the resort areas and some huge houses too (or estates) ...and they are the ones who are just part timers. The rest of us live in a depressed economy much of the time, even when the rest of the world is doing good, our wages up here run at least 5% below the average. I am used to working for $10/hr...even if I am in a executive assistant position. And yes, there is a serious societal stratification around here. While I have moved up a couple rungs while living here for 20 years, I am in no way self sufficient...most of the people who are doing well either own their own business, sometimes even working on the side, or are in jobs that are needed in society, like a lawyer or a doctor or dentist, etc. The rest of us work at the casinos, service industry, or some other form of supportive vocation, sometimes juggling several jobs and seasonal gigs.... I affectionately call it the "Tahoe Hustle"
I have had friends 'off the hill' ask me why don't I move if the economy is so tough?
many of my friends and colleagues answer the same things:
We have our own support system that makes our hard times easier.
We enjoy the inner strength we cultivate by living in a place that demands so much of us.
We also enjoy the sense of community that happens in a smaller settlement, if you are all out in your driveways at the same time in 3' of snow, you are going to help each other, it's just the way it is.
Besides, after living here a while, I personally felt I couldn't compete with someone in a big city marketplace, I am not up for that game.
The redevelopment and housing bubbles have decimated us both on a city level and individually.
Every day there are more shuttered windows, more than I have ever seen, it is scary, and we are all talking about it.
Since the state budget is in such bad shape, the city is getting less money too (as well as depressed tourism industry) the current city budget crisis I have been covering...has them looking at laying off our PLOW drivers and hiring temps! :eeek:
The next GA is Friday and I am going, not only as a reporter, but as a willing participant!
https://www.facebook.com/occupytahoe(please go on FB and support the cause;) )
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