Stuck in the Middle

When I was in elementary school I hated the game monkey in the middle; well, at least if I was in the middle. It always seemed two extremely tall athletic people were throwing a ball over my head while I looked like a fool trying my hardest to get the ball. It was nearly impossible for me because I was always shorter than most of my classmates and I was not very athletic. However, I am not one to give up easily, so I continuously looked foolish swiping at a ball going too quickly and too high over my head. It seems I am a part of that same cruel game as an adult, with the same dismal results. Unfortunately, I did not choose to be a part of this game; it seems my participation has occurred naturally.
If your family is anything like mine, you are struggling to make your paycheck cover all of your expenses each month. It is amazing how much the middle class in America are working so hard, while struggling more than ever. My husband works three jobs and I work two. We have three children and are living with his parents because our house is too small for our family but is not worth what we owe. The small companies we work for do not have health benefits, so we have individual health insurance.  In 2012, we laid out over $12,000 in medical expenses not including the $7,000 we laid out for health coverage. My husband just finished his degree with over $30,000 in student loans.  Why am I sharing all of this? Because the sad reality is that the more we work and the more jobs we take on, the less we seem to be helping ourselves.
For example, if I quit my jobs we would qualify for government health care which covers a lot more with much lower out of pocket expenses than we have paid. The ironic thing is that the more jobs we take on the more taxes we pay to help those not working get better health care coverage than those of us working. My husband and I believe that those that really need help should get it. Yet, it seems, many are taking advantage and the help is actually hurting the culture of our country.  This blog will examine some of these ironies and hopefully be a forum to seek a solution and raise awareness of how the middle class is looking foolish as we struggle to catch the ball of security.