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4-27-03
RESPECT FOR THE NON-RICH
We no longer have a democracy. That word comes from the base,
"demos," meaning "the people." We now have an
oligarchy, meaning a government by the rich and for the rich. If your
elected congressman isn't rich when he goes in, he will be by the time
he retires.
Rich people buy candidates with big contributions. Then they get big tax
cuts and laws allowing them to take jobs away from American workers and
give them to foreigners who will work long hours in horrible conditions
for starvation wages.
A man was recently fired for not doing a good job as president of a
large insurance company. But he was given millions in a severance
package. A CEO fired by a large hospital was given $383,000 in severance
pay.
In this time of little respect for craftsmen and skilled tradesmen, we
would be wise to remember the words of John Gardner: "If we don't
have respect for both our plumbers and our philosophers, neither our
pipes nor our theories will hold water."
A young man who grew up near me wanted to be a plumber so much that he
studied night and day to pass the exam and obtain a license. He has had
a great career.
Once a plumber came to my house and after some light chatter, got to
telling me about some of his most challenging jobs. His enthusiasm and
knowledge really rubbed off on me as I saw the pride he felt in his
lifework.
My father spoke fluent German and was a self-educated man. He was a
masterful orator. But I best remember his skills as a wood craftsman and
auto mechanic. He always felt he was as good as any man. It was his
considerable body of skills that forced me to respect him and all people
who work with their hands.
We need to recapture respect for working people and realize they are as
valuable to our nation as the finest scientist, doctor, college
professor or statesman. In fact, we haven't had a statesman in many
decades.
The wages of our factory workers and skilled craftsmen are now at a
level below the average in 1979. Yet, the salaries and bonus packages of
corporate CEOs are purely insane.
I am glad I grew up in a community of working people. I remember them
coming into the country store at the end of their workday. How I enjoyed
listening to them talk about their work. My pride in them grows with the
years.
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