I am the 47%.

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"There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. ... My job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives." -Mitt Romney

 It's about time I address this quote. 

 I am a full-time student and work part-time in an office on my campus. I volunteer and am involved in many extra curricular activities.

 I receive financial aid that makes it possible for me to get my education.

 I am on medicaid, which makes it possible for me to stay healthy. 

 I am a recipient of food stamps.

 I used to be ashamed of these things, and I still am a little bit. 

 My parents are hard workers. My mom takes care of her parents full-time and my father works full time at a recycling place making $9.00 an hour. My parents have worked all their lives and paid their fair share. They've paid taxes. 

 We are the 47%. Yes, I am reliant and dependent on government assistance. I have no choice. I eat macaroni for dinner and peanut butter sandwiches for lunch just about every day. Without the government assistance I have, I would probably be dead. I would not be able to get an education, would not be able to contribute to my society as a citizen and community member and I would NEVER be able to break the cycle. 

 One day, I will be off of government assistance. I will be able to pay for things on my own. But as of now, I can't do that. I make $40 a week, which is barely enough to survive on. 

 I am not receiving an entitlement, as Mitt Romney says. I am receiving an opportunity. That is why I will vote for President Obama in the 2012 Presidential election.

 Oh, and Mr. Romney, I am taking personal responsibility for my life.

 If you don't know what it's like to struggle and you've never gone hungry a day in your life, you have no right to talk about how people are too dependent on the government. 


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About Post Author

Kalysha Clark is a recent graudate of North Carolina State University where she earned a Bachelor's of Science in Zoology and a minor in nonprofit studies. She is currently serving as a member of AmeriCorps and will return to NC State in January to begin her Master's program in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology.

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About me

I am a graduate of NC State University with a Bachelors of Science in Zoology and a minor in Nonprofit Studies.

I am currently a Master's Student at NC State studying Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology. Part of my thesis will focus on how state action plans and policies look at and incorporate climate change and land use change. I am highly interested in habitat use, movement ecology and behavior, and hope to study these during my Master's and, later, my PhD.

I am currently working on my North Carolina Environmental Education Certification.

My skills include: Radio telemetry, Camera Trap Installation and Calibration, Animal Handling, Data Entry and Management, Animal Husbandry, Animal Behavior, Wildlife Rehabilitation, Raptor Handling, Project Planning, Fundraising, Public Speaking, Time Management and Organization

Classes I'm Currently Taking

-Conservation Biology
-Quantitative Methods in Education
-Wildlife Seminar
-Resource Selection Functions

Current Projects

-Evaluating Efficacy of Conservation Planning in the Southeast
-Evaluating the Household Dynamics of Wildlife Value Orientations

Honors, Awards, and Certifications

-Bachelor of Science in Zoology, 2015
-Minor in Nonprofit Studies
-Dean's List, Spring 2012, Fall 2013
-Roots and Shoots Founders' Award, $100, 2012-2013
-Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Certification, March 2013
-Visionary Leader Certificate, Spring 2012

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