Recent data made me feel pretty worthless. I’ve been a teacher, receptionist, writer, poet, editor, and a few other things in my life. I thought that each of these jobs had value, because they filled needs in society.
I just didn’t realize how little value they held. According to the data gathered by the AFL-CIO, the average CEO makes $37,000 per DAY, more than the average worker makes in a YEAR. That’s $7,000 per HOUR, or 350 times what the average worker makes. And that’s what the data-gatherers call “average worker,” who is someone making $20 per hour, therefore likely a union-member. Where does that put the non-union workers making minimum wage or less?
All my life I’ve felt that any work, any job, has worth and dignity. I don’t like the idea that people who are not CEOs but have great responsibility (President of the U.S., teachers, fire, police, medical professionals, those who keep our buildings clean and sanitary, those who care for our children–anyone with a job that serves others) are valued so much less than the head of a corporation. And I don’t like the death of the American dream, that a person who works hard won’t end up in poverty but will succeed.
Practically speaking, not everyone can make $7,000 per hour. The question is, should anyone be making that much while others work hard yet struggle to feed their families.
I know some of my readers are thinking that my attitude sounds a bit Communistic. I look at it as going farther back into history, to the time of the Disciples, who followed their Leader’s teachings by caring for each other and working toward the common good.
