If you wholeheartedly believe people should not go without food, a home and sound education then look for solutions that better the human race. Calling people you hardly know whiners is laziness because it doesn’t require you to do anything. I find that sad.

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Really, they worked hard for their wealth? Highly doubt it. In fact what they did was prosper off the people that they hired to do the work for them. They didn’t put hammer to nail, they didn’t balance the books, they didn’t empty their wastebaskets at night, they didn’ do the market research. They paid people to do work for them, while they sit around and pretend to “lead” a company. these economic rapists have no thought or consideration for people working hard every day. Honest, good, thoughtful people that want nothing but to do a hard days work for a hard days pay. These elites that use their money to make more money, that they neither worked for or deserve or produce anything for society. There bankers and investors. And to say that people should go to law school or business school as if those should be the ONLY ways that one can survive is narrowminded and illogical. The rule should be this: As long as you can work hard, then you should automatically be given a comfortable, middle class life with 1.Free Health care (yes, tax those dickhead corporations), 2.Steady work 3. Completely subsidized pension (not 401K, but a pension that yes, employers must pay for) 4. Free education up through a PhD. 5. a free house

Lastly, a better world exists, if we only outlaw corporations, and ban lobbyists of all sorts

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is this a real article? the daily bruin publishes stuff like this?

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Bankers do not get paid in proportion to the amount of work they do. I find the proposition that “They are wealthy because they pay their dues” frankly, insulting. I think that the work of the banker is no more grueling than the work of the trashman, or the janitor, or anyone else who has to work a undesirable position. The amount of pay they receive for their few additional hours of work is not linearly proportional to the effort. Their large increase in pay comes from a system designed to cheat others out of their money through complications and deceit.
While our laws are designed to protect the free market, they are also designed to protect citizens from schemes to steal money through deception. We crackdown on con-men, swindlers and embezzlers for the general good. But in the complicated system that is our current market, it is easy to create devices too complicated for the general population to understand; and out of these devices, money is skimmed out of the pockets of innocent, hard-working laborers and into the wallets of bankers and CEO’s whose only service is mastering the manipulation of money. I find the lack of regulation a little bit disgusting, and I think reform is needed.

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While it isnt fair to assume, it is clear this was written from a privileged perspective. What do you say to those who cant afford higher education? Or the aspiring In-n-out employee who’s job you took because there are no “professional” occupations hiring. I think you fail to see through the worlds illusions because you have not experienced struggle – and/or life outside the classroom.

As a journalist, have you visited Occupy Los Angeles and spoke with the people you consider “whiners?” – You will find a diverse group. There are students tired of battling the privatization of education who work two jobs to pay for their education, there are working class people who are tired of struggling to maintain their three part-time jobs they need so they can feed their kids and pay their ever rising living-expenses.

You assume to know the participates in this movement yet you’ve clearly demonstrated you havent been down to speak with them. They are not lazy nor looking for a handout. Life is unfair, but in your reality…well, you have no idea how unfair it truly can be. Flag this comment

wow, where to start? your article is terrible. you say you think people shouldn’t go without food, shelter and good education, but everyday more and more people go without these things while bank and wall street CEOs get massive bailouts when they go broke to buy their 3rd ferrari, yellow this time because his others are red. I mean his company went broke and helped bring the economy to its knees, but he definitely still deserves his bonus. does that sound like a well operating free-market system to you? In our society the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. throw in a little corruption and it just happens faster. how far can we go down this path until we realize that it doesnt work?

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Best article yet on these self absorbed whiny losers occupying Wall Street, the fact that such comments against the article were made by UCLA (University of California Liberal *sses) is just proof of the truth the article contains.

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Obviously you are stuck in time. You obviously represent the views of your capitalist masters and I should say they have done a great job in brainwashing your peanut brain. How on earth did you end up writing for this publication with your shallow analysis of this situation. I dont blame you but I blame the system that you think you are part of. Need I remind you that you are in the working class. Your blood and sweat is being used by the capitalist to amass wealth giving you enought just to go back and work more. Here in Africa we have millions starving and I know with your shallow reasoning you might be tempted to say deal with your issues its got notthing to do with you. Capitalism is global and their operation is the same. The protestors represent disillusioned workers like you and just know your job security is not guaranteed especially with this kind of reckless writing. We are mobilising here and will definitely network with people that side. Capitalism is going down and we have the numbers to do it.

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I am in as much shock as everyone else here by your complete ignorance and lack of research for this terrible opinion piece. You should at least know a little bit about these people who are obviously alien to you. First of all, it kills me to think that you will probably make it in investment banking. I bet Daddy or Uncle Bruce has left the door wide open for you. Who got you the hookup on your internship? You must have been really wowed when you saw those guys on the phone and reading thick files while sitting in that $2000 chair all weekend. Dude. What amazingly hard work. You probably laughed at some stupid field workers out the window of your skyscraper right after that epiphany, huh?

Sorry, I lost track of my point while I was presuming to know you. Do you see the problem with my little opinion piece about the one dimensional you? Probably not.

As for those that are whining while they are utilizing their right to assemble, you might want to open your ears a little. The fact that this is going on around the country might, just might, warrant a tad more investigation and a little less dismissive attitude. I might expect this behavior from a privileged Trojan, but you, a lowly UC Bruin! Come on man! Get a grip. You basically outline in your op. ed. the inequality of living standards and opportunity that your generation has compared to your fathers. This is true. It is true to a startling amount. The percentage of your income you will have to pay for your healthcare, mortgage, gas, and food are way disproportionate to what inflations would make them. Open your eyes and realize that there actually is something wrong. Then maybe you will hear something other than “whine, whine, whine” out of the mouths of “the 99%” that are out there assembling to make a better America.

In the meantime, listen to George Carlin’s piece about our “owners”. It is spot on. You can youtube it, which is evidently a greater research tool than you have probably ever used.

FYI: In-N-Out actually has an interview process. If you represent as well as you have here, you might indeed be unemployed all summer. But go ahead and get out in that workforce, you might find that things aren’t fair. You might find people don’t care that you had a busy college schedule. You might even find that the guy with the vibrant social life, can actually score weed for his boss and get the job ahead of you. Oh snap. Wouldn’t that just suck. And that young man will probably be your reality.

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I just saw your name was Jessica. So let me rephrase that your reality young lady will be losing out on a job to some pot head.

Sorry JLee but you really got me fuming. I just can’t believe how green behind the ears you are. I realize you are probably just too young to know better. But since you are so young, respect your elders, respect your peers, and do them the courtesy of researching before you write down your opinions. I hope the slams on you keep coming, and I hope it hits you hard enough to snap you out of your little comfy world. The rest of us aren’t living there!

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Editors: Get your writers in line. First, the south vs. north campus piece, now this. It’s getting embarrassing.

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This isn’t real writing, its the author forgoing any research into what the protests are about and taking the easy route and labeling them as complainers. After all, she interned at an investment bank, she knows what’s up! I know it’s an opinion piece, but when you suggest people enroll in business school or law school as a way to fix their problems and thus larger social problems, you expose how unqualified and naive your opinions are.

Doesn’t anyone else find it ironic that Jessica Lee speaks of entitled complainers when her article makes her sound like THE biggest entitled complainer, whining about people who want to voice their opinions about a clearly broken system?

It would be nice to think that hardworking investment bankers are putting in long hours and making America great(let’s just be thankful they’re not complaining about long hours and working conditions!) but the fact is they make money playing with other people’s money, bring ruin, then want government money to keep going. We must be crazy for protesting something like that. Or are we whining about it? It all depends on whether you interned at an investment bank last summer.

Sounds like someone didn’t want to do the diligence and work into actually finding out what the occupy wall street is about and decided it’s a bunch of whiners.

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Everyone got all their money fair and square from working oh so hard (?) and so everyone else is a whiner. That is pretty much the most naive comment I’ve heard in a while. I live in a small town in western New York. People here affected by the CRIMINAL DECISIONS made by Wall Street and the banking industry in the last ten years, in other words the ones who have to work three part-time jobs to stay afloat, are not whining about it. They are fired up and full-on angry at the news that reaches them every day about CEO’s making obscene amounts of money, and the enormous corporations not being taxed at all, while they struggle to pay their own taxes.

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I 100% support the protesters.
This is our version of Arab Spring…our democracy has been hijacked by rich and their friends like Eric Cantor…this isn’t America this isn’t Capitalism. Betting with tax payer underwriting…enough.

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Why does it not surprise me that you worked an investment banking internship this Summer?? Seriously, I can’t begin to express the disgust I feel after having read this article. I’ve had a series of successful internships at tech companies around California as a software engineering intern, and I’ve already secured a full time job from one of them that I’ll be working at once I graduate this year, but the difference between you and I is that I have the sensibility to realize that I grew up with certain advantages other students don’t necessarily grow up with to attain the jobs I’ve had. I had parents who funded my education every step of the way. I went to a fantastic public school with any resource I needed to succeed at my fingertips. I had relatives who worked high profile jobs at tech companies who were able to open doors for me. I had a computer to program with as a youth. And much much more. I’m in shock how people like you can consistently claim that you got to where you stand today solely based on your own individual merits. Have you considered that a huge population of the U.S. simply lacks the perks and resources more privileged people are born with? A good friend of mine went to UC Berkeley and studied Molecular and Cell Biology for two years until her dad lost his job and couldn’t pay for Berkeley. She’s been going to community college for more than a year now, and unless some sort of miracle happens, her goal of becoming a doctor isn’t happening. And you know what? She works harder than anyone I know, because not only does she need to go to school, she needs to work to support her struggling family. So what is she lazy? When she ends up out of community college jobless, is that all her fault? Please do me a favor and get out of your comfort zone to really try and meet people here at UCLA who are disadvantaged. There are more of them then you may think, trust me. Even homeless students go here. You’ll learn a lot from them and maybe someone will even convince you to change your mind. Sorry if parts of this message sounded unnecessarily cross, but when I think about all the hardworking people I know who can’t find jobs simply due to factors beyond their control, it really angers me to read an article like this. I don’t think you’re a bad person, just one who hasn’t been exposed to the sorts of people and experiences that really help you appreciate what you have.

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OK chief, try to do everything without your family unit. Seriously, try it. Get back to me about how things are going there.

You need to get a clue. Also, try to get a job without your family connections. Let me know how that goes.

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Here’s a comic for you. I can’t even think of giving you more complicated material to help you understand the situation JLee.
http://stmedia.startribune.com/images/423*328/sack10-6color1.jpg

Oh yeah, and you’re still an idiot.

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Thank you for this great clarification. To the people that are complaining about this article, try getting into any technical field and you will quickly realize how difficult it is to get by let alone become successful and lead a company.

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This is sad. While the author acknowledges full well that she may become homeless as a result of being unemployed (and perhaps unsympathetic parents?) she is unable to see how she would benefit from “socialism”. At the same time the author acknowledges that the system creates victors and victims, “We live in a competition-oriented world, and the spoils go to the victors, not the victims.” call me naive but I would like a world that just allow for people to to remain human beings.

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I’ll have a double double with grilled onions. Don’t forget to ask me if I want fries with that.

Seriously, though. You’re a journalist. Go out there and talk to those people. You don’t even have to agree with what they tell you, but you have to understand. Sure, my fancy UCLA degree is useless but it’s not like I can just go to graduate school and make everything all better. And the community college system in this state is also ruined. So what choice do I have? You really don’t know anything at all.

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I have never been so compelled to reply to an opinion piece. For the most part, they are quite bland and open ended; this one calls for discussion. Lee’s assumptions that the fate of the 99% rests on their lack of pro-active attempts for employment is ludicrous. Assumptions are made that the people should live as Lee sees fit, that an education is essential to succeed and make money.

“Similarly the Wall Street Whiners need to take charge of their lives. They should attend…school..equip themselves with skills that make them a more attractive job applicant.” In this paraphrased paragraph alone there are quite a multitude of assumptions, demands, and expectations set for the people. The first, that the Occupy Wall Street movement is made up of vagabonds who have not taken “charge of their lives.” I believe it is safe to assume that Lee’s vision of an idealistic life involves attaining a degree and working in an office of some sort. A 9 to 5, so to speak. She’s applying a meaningless life to a great mass of people, an insult if there ever was one. I would never go so far as to say these people lack vigor to live, or a proper reason to exist. I’m sure Lee would agree that if strolled up to her and claimed that her existence was less than fit, she would feel downhearted, then again she may not care.

What I found most unsettling was Lee’s parents’ plans if she finds herself facing unemployment post-graduation: “..[Lee] will have to work at our local In-N-Out while searching for jobs worthy of a UCLA degree.” Here is the essential problem the 1% have with the 99%, the assumption that even In-N-Out will employ you. The fact of the matter is jobs are scarce everywhere, this isn’t a problem solely for those with degrees, white collars and briefcases. This problem is the worst for people who don’t have degrees as the service jobs are disappearing, the ones that don’t require an upper division education. And if a position at a burger joint were a joke from her parent’s end, it’s a sick one to make—the assumption that a position at In-N-Out will be available post-graduation is absurd and silly, also an entitlement issue as this would be a temporary position until a “..job worthy of a UCLA degree” appears. Let’s call it like it is: a degree, regardless of institution, is a degree. Let’s rip off the bandage: anyone can attain a degree. It’s not that hard if you have the time, dedication, and above all—the funds. This doesn’t make you any different than the great many people who didn’t seek a degree.

As for Lee’s assumptions that a degree and an education equals a paycheck..that’s not necessarily true. You can get paid doing almost anything, and most of those things don’t need or require a degree. Lee should probably escape the privileged bubble she’s been cultivated in and experience life for what it really is—you don’t need a degree to do that, do you?

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Hahahahaha. I’m went to community college, I’m now at UCLA. I am in accounting. I already have a job lined up for after graduation.

I support #occupywallstreet because the system is flawed, and has allowed the major banks to run this county.

The more economics I study, the more I look into the financial crisis, the more I believe that concrete change is needed.

Hard work is always to be rewarded, but never should people make money by taking advantage of others.

So there, I’m on your level, but I DISAGREE with you calling #occupywallstreet a bunch of whiners. There may be some whining, but the underlying topic of CHANGE is absolutely relevant.

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Jessica Lee, who are you? Luckily other comment have already explained the many errs in judgement you have spent your life making; all I can say is, I hope the Occupy Wall Street movement doesn’t intrude on your precious In N Out experience, otherwise YOUR whining might annoy all of US who are actually doing something in the world! What a dumbass.

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Jessica,

I hope you took the opportunity to go down to City Hall and pick up some stories. As I’m sure you remember columns are as much about conscientious research as they are about provocative stance-taking. Without that, this is so much bloviation, without even the asking LA Occupiers – many of them former and current Bruins – what they think or why they’re there. If you’d like to do a follow-up, I’d be glad to offer you some sources.

Speaking as a current unemployed alumnus (and a former colleague) who’s had many of the same opportunities you’ve had – time in DC, a spot at the Bruin, a relatively high GPA in a major in the social sciences – I’d suggest that you should be more concerned at the possibility of post-graduate unemployment than you think.

And I say this not as a lazy whiner, but as somebody who’s filled out about 200 job applications, from places as common as McDonald’s and Starbucks to those as rare as state and federal legislative offices, as well as everything in between – government offices, public transportation, restaurants, retail, law firms, political organizations, and even my beloved Alma Mater – in multiple counties. I read the classified ads of three to four newspapers in three counties – the LA Times, the San Bernardino County Sun, the Press-Enterprise, and the Daily Bruin – and apply to everything I’m qualified for. At this rate, I’ll have applied for five hundred jobs by Halloween.Like you, I was raised with and I maintain the belief that no work is “unworthy” of my attention and education is the path to a better existence. That said, there’s something to be said about the creeping malaise and disappointment that comes with unemployment and the constant self-questioning “what’s wrong with me?” – because, as you said, most of us college types know, in our bones, that the degree isn’t enough.

I don’t feel sorry for myself and I don’t feel entitled, Jessica. My parents and grandparents did rough work when they came to this country, and I don’t feel that I’m above it. Problem is, there isn’t work, period – in part courtesy of the hard-working, high-earning bankers you tout gambling with this country’s money.

That said, if you ever find yourself a little sick of In’N‘Out and feel that you, too, are part of the 99 percent – or if you’re looking for a column with less invective and information – head down to City Hall and find your welcome. Those “entitled complainers” will probably exhibit more sympathy for you than you could spare for them. There’s room for everyone, and I’m sure that you’ll find some stories very similar to your own – high-powered youths, advanced degrees, high grades – and joblessness. Should you have trouble getting down to downtown, take the 720 from Wilshire/Westwood to Wilshire/Western in Koreatown. Board the subway and get off at Civic Center. Should be about an hour or so, but I guarantee it’ll be an invaluable experience.

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Wow, this article is ignorance at its finest. So let me take the time to educate you. Lee Iacocca was the first CEO to be paid millions of dollars for saving Chrysler from failure. Beforehand, CEO’s and CFO’s were making the likes of 400k. Iacocca set the precedent for CEO’s making millions of dollars. 25 years ago, the top 1% owned 25 percent of the nations wealth. Now, the top 1% owns 80 percent of the nations wealth (and not by mistake). Major companies are paying overseas laborers 50 cents a day to make a surplus of clothes, in return producing millions of dollars of surplus for their companies. Their view is, “Well, If I’m bringing in all of this money for my company (by outsourcing) why can’t I get a 2 million dollar bonus?” Is that what you consider hard work? If so, rethink that idea because that elitist and arrogant viewpoint is what so many people are up in arms about. These people are not working hard, they’re getting rich off the backs of the 99% of America and off the backs of these children and cheap laborers overseas! And have you even gone to OccupyLa like a REAL journalist should do, or are you basing your beliefs and opinions off of media portrayal???

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