NEARLY EVERYONE reading this paper is part of what we've all become aware of as "the 99 percent," thanks to the Occupy Wall Street movement of last year. A group of residents in the Fredericksburg area has been meeting recently to talk about whether the increasing economic inequality affecting our lives is something we should just accept--as we apparently are all too willing to do. We thought we would share a little of our stories, hoping that those who read this will see that they have similar stories.

I'm part of the 99 percent. We have two cars--11 and 20 years old. We carry thousands of dollars in debt to pay for our son in college, and every month we send a check to help out a parent. Rather than replace the lawn mower that broke down on us last year, I borrow my neighbor's. We have to be very frugal and it's hard to see why people whose financial worth is a thousand times ours should be getting tax breaks--especially when the country's been in wars for 10 years, our roads are falling apart, and public higher education has been starved to the point that almost no one can afford it.

I am part of the 99 percent. Why? Because by the time I graduate from college, I will owe more than $100,000 in loans and federal financial aid. I currently work two jobs, and any money I make goes toward bills. I used to be a commuter so I could save money, but when my car broke down, I had to move on campus. Just to live in a double room on campus costs $2,540. My parents co-signed for everything and they are in debt themselves. I dread the day when my family and I have to pay it all back. I am the 99 percent because I have no choice.

I am part of the 99 percent. My wife and I are both very fortunate to have jobs, but both of us owe $70,000 in student loans, bringing our total family debt up to $140,000. Both of our mothers have been recently laid off and forced into what appears to be early retirements. Seeing the sorry state of our economy and the environment makes us worry about the future we are creating for our children.