Money Is Still the Measure

North Miami Beach, Florida 2-18-2000 Aaron H. Schectman

THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on issues, ideas and reflections on the times. Published now and
then. Opinions pro or con are welcome.
ONCE AGAIN MONEY IS THE MEASURE

A New York Times editorial today on the disparity between the moneyed and
the poor caught my attention. The distance between the privileged and the
disadvantaged has become greater despite the successes of the Clinton
administration. For many, such disparity does not seem inappropriate since
many of the poor have made advances. Some have televisions, cars, cell
phones, computers and full tummies. What is more important than this should
be the information made available to them and the content of their character
(this last, thanks to M.L. King)

Those of you who have not traveled through the wonderful world of
educational pursuits may not know this, but education pays for those who use
it but not for those who teach it. Despite this I would not change my
experience in trying to reach the minds of people from elementary school
through to graduate school. But, I do wonder at the disparity between the
rich and educated and the educated and not so rich.

My education prepared me to appreciate and enjoy reading, art, music and
theater. History has continually fascinated me. I have kept up with most of
these over time. What I regret is not having talents that would have freed
me from dependence on a regular job in order to go in other directions
perhaps leading to one of these interests. My need for money decided this.

Most of what is wonderful and valuable does not cost money to acquire. I
wonder sometimes if what I value in music, art, and intellectual pursuits
has been denied to the post "me" generation. Instead of television when I
was young I had reading and radio which allows one freedom to imagine.
Jazz, swing and "progressive" music of my youth are still to me the greatest
of accomplishments. I am going to get in trouble for saying this, but
"rock" and its decibels are devoid of redeeming values.

What you can give to those who follow you is a foundation in values that
transcends the impoverished interest in acquiring monetary wealth as the
measure of all things in this world. Carol's Evaluation: 9 out of 10.