Addressing the myths

Bradley Gitz refers to myths surrounding the issue of income inequality. He is careful to use as many ad hominem arguments and phrases as possible, referring to Pravda, Marx, “left- wing fever swamps,” etc. He puts “compassion” in quotation marks, as if to imply that right- thinking people are suspicious or dismissive of such a notion.

He suggests that the poor should look in the mirror for the source of their problems. I can imagine how this might work. One man might look in the mirror and see someone who was injured in a coal mine accident. If he had been smart he would have gone in for accounting, or maybe journalism. Someone who worked her whole life in the garment industry might see a middle- aged woman with no training or even opportunities for any other work. Many poor young men would look at a dark- skinned face; if they had only known, they could have chosen to be born of white parents. High- school kids might look at the reflection of someone about to graduate but having no meaningful education for whatever comes next. A haunted-looking young man with a buzz haircut would see himself surrounded by dead bodies of his fellow soldiers. He should get a grip, and a job.

Compassion is one way to help the poor, and it is important. But food pantries and homeless shelters cannot solve the issue of poverty. About a generation ago, higher- education recruiters began to speak of the cost of college as an investment. It can be argued that the country should think of social justice and equity of opportunity as investments. The top of the income scale should realize the value of this investment. When people have opportunities for productive work, self- respect, safe living arrangements, and hope for the future, they participate in the democratic process and the whole country is better off.

ETHEL C. SIMPSON

Fayetteville