The greatest among us will always be the least among us. Even the rich can't buy their way out of this one.
Melissa Harris-Perry has a wonderful "PSA" on MSNBC that basically says, as I interpret it, communities need to take more interest in their children. In a small dose of FOX News this morning I caught their shock and disgust at such a thought. Of course, they say this is about a "leftist" on a "leftist" channel taking a "leftist" stance. They got it so wrong. I've long espoused this notion, because I've long been an advocate of public education. Not just to allow everyone the same opportunity for an excellent education, but also to save our civilization as a whole.
Ms. Harris-Perry is saying, I think, people need to start fighting the urge to pull their child out of failing, or less than stellar, public schools in their community and instead begin fighting for an excellent education for every child in their community. It not only elevates the community to the highest standard imaginable, but it serves a more selfish ideal as well. And believe it or not, this is one thing that brings the Koch brothers, the CEO's on Wall Street and our Congresspersons on an even playing field with each and every one of us.
If you are in a car accident, who pulls you from the wreckage? Who treats you at the scene until you can reach a hospital? At the hospital, who attends to your most basic needs? Who fills your prescriptions? Who keeps the hospital clean? Who is in charge of your medical records? Are none of these important to your health and well being?
If your house is on fire, who responds? If you're brutally attacked, who responds to you? Who investigates the crime? Who is responsible for bringing the perpetrators to justice? Are none of these important to you and your well being?
If the engine light goes on in your car, who investigates, diagnoses and repairs your vehicle? If you smell gas in your home, who investigates and remedies the problem? Are these not important to your health and well being?
Every basic service in every community, large and small, is performed by someone raised among us. Someone we will likely need at an unexpected time in our lives when we are at our most vulnerable. We may be scared, hurt, angry, all of these, or none of these. But we will need them. No one in any community is immune.
Are these individuals more likely publicly or privately educated? Do we expect them to have common sense, empathy, critical thinking skills and excellent work ethics? These are not likely going to be your own children, but children raised in the community you live and work in, or even pass through. These people are what make our communities what they are.
What kind of community do you want to live in?