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Up And Down The Ladder
By Bill Richmond

I have been carrying around this soap box lately. I don't know why. However, if you'll gather around and give me a minute, I'll set it up on the corner here and we'll get on with it. Ready? Then here goes.

The Cape is a microcosm of an American problem, a world problem, for that matter, and it needs fixing fast. The problem is the widening gap between those people who have lots of money and those people who don't.

There has been much discussion lately about providing 'affordable' housing. That used to mean housing for people with less than 80% of the average annual income, or something like that. Now we are trying to provide 'affordable' housing for teachers, nurses, Town employees, and hospital technicians. Where does that leave the lower paid people?

There has been an ongoing effort to attract manufacturing jobs to the Cape because they provide higher income jobs than those of the tourist industry. I have heard this discussion to include trying to get rid of those low paying jobs, as if they weren't worthy of existing; as if you could really do that.

There has been an ad on the radio lately in which a recent college graduate meets with the business recruiter. She asks what type of job he is looking for. He replies that he expects a six figure salary, a title such as CEO and a fast sports car. She asks, "Will something in the Mail Room do?" There are two sides to this little conversation. First of all is that the Mail Room job is the lowest of the low. Second is the reverse; it is the recognition that starting at the bottom is the way we have always worked. In fact, I think that is the definition of the 'American Dream'- start at the bottom and have the opportunity to go as far as you want.

Nearly all of us start somewhere near the bottom. Some of us pursue the Almighty Dollar, and some of us live our lives without the big bucks either by choice or not. Right now there is no choice: you either struggle for dollars or you are shunned and left behind. We are seeing this on the Cape in the form of increasing needs for soup kitchens, shelters for the homeless and families living in single motel rooms. It is as though we are trying to leave the bottom of the financial ladder behind; just saw it off about halfway up. What is to become of our cleaning people, our waiters and waitresses, and bus drivers? After they are gone, what will happen to our farmers, fishermen, and our artists? Then what is to become of our teachers and nurses?

We need to stop focusing on wealth and start to focus on people. All people need to have the chance to climb as far as they wish and be proud of their accomplishments and their lives. Rich, middle income and poor alike need to focus on the bottom of the ladder, not the top. Welfare, affordable housing, food stamps and the other government programs don't provide what is really needed: self-respect and opportunity. Only we, the people, can provide that. Do you want to continue this great nation? Then spend time helping those at the bottom of the ladder.

Thank you, and excuse me. I see a few people gathered at the next corner. I'll just take my soap box and move it down there.

Bill Richmond is an architect living and working in Yarmouth Port. He may be reached at WHRichmond@comcast.net