It is interesting how many people didn’t see an issue with our system until those tax hikes hit their front door. Now that the pressure is on, the blame is being shifted toward the lower class—but how is that possible?

We’ve all heard the explanations of where our tax dollars are going, but if that’s true, why is the number of people in need continuing to multiply? We are seeing more neighbors struggling with housing and basic needs than ever before.

The labels we use to divide ourselves—"middle class," "lower class," "taxpayer"—are just distractions. The reality is that we are all breathing the same air and facing the same rising costs. What happens when those who are already struggling lose their homes? What happens when the "safety net" we are told exists fails everyone?

I’m asking a simple question: When is enough, enough? Instead of pointing fingers at those with the least, we should be asking the hard questions about where the resources are really going. If we don’t come together now to protect the most vulnerable, eventually, the system will come for what everyone else is "accustomed to" as well.

Unity is our only hope for a community that actually works for everyone.