Greene residents would flock to living-wage jobs with benefits
In Greene County the ignoble aristocracy historically avoids scrutiny in the manner that vampires purportedly avoid daylight. For instance, almost every resident senses the presence of an omnipotent entity. Yet nobody claims to know who it is. (Secret, shhh.) Recent local newspaper articles report on a little known group calling themselves The Community Builders of Greene County. The group professes concern about people leaving the county and what needs to be done to encourage retention and return.
For several reasons I describe that group as being clandestine. They do not identify a street address for their operational hub; only a post office box number and telephone number. They claim to be a nonprofit community corporation amidst a pampered select elite not associated with a work ethic much less a willingness to work merely for expenses. Furthermore the group reportedly received a donation toward a scholarship for a student attending a specific county high school. Oddly enough the donor remains anonymous and the recipient student is not identified. (Secret, secret, secret. Shhh, shhh, shhh.)
Virtually all Greene countians know full well why eight in 10 of our most promising young people leave. It has been going on for more than 100 years. Media reports of the group raises readers’ ire that is reflected in letters to the editor.
That exodus was the subject of a guest commentary “Failure to change hinders Greene County” which appeared in the Herald-Standard on Aug. 29. The writer, a 19-year-old from Carmichaels, Greene County, is a political science and law student attending a small Michigan college having a big conservative bias.
His commentary contained four of his observations regarding Greene County. I am in absolute agreement with the first two-and-a-half observations.
Regrettably, in the third observation I take exception with the implication that ignorance and lackluster local leadership exhibits support for “socialism”. I would caution that our American Constitution commissions the government to promote for the general (not private or special) welfare. Beyond that, one step beneath socialism is communism. China, a communist state, ranks among America’s most-favored-nation trading partners.
The fourth and final observation is an absolute blast. By any means, “forcing people to work” is slavery, which is an un-American premise. In America the Revolutionary War brought about the end of indentured servitude. The Civil War brought about the end of slavery and World War II brought about worldwide unconditional surrender of fascism.
Employees, like employers, show no enthusiasm for working merely to cover expenses. Both need a profit.
One effective way for the student writer to gauge industriousness of the county workforce would be to advertise 500 jobs within the county offering immediate placement, living wages and full benefits. Then count the applications.
Before it is too late the promising student writer should seek balance in his academic pursuits.
Lord knows we are awash in unbalanced politicians.
Paul Lagojda is a resident of Cumberland Township, Greene County