Learning From Falling on Our Faces
I grew up poor financially but I and my friends were the richest kids alive. No amount of money could of bought what we had. I often think about the people I grew up with in the Skunk Hollow section of Newport and find it amazing where life has taken us: a nurse or two, teachers, the city manager of Newport, the owner of the Hoaggies restaurant chain, and plenty of hard working laborers who understand the value of a good day’s work. Our parents all struggled financially but they instilled within us somethings no money could - a strong work ethic, that true happiness isn’t found in a wallet, and that we, not anybody else, were in control of our destiny. Excuses were not optional and I don’t remember one family who refused to work, no matter how unglamorous the work. Some of us, including myself, fell more than once flat on our faces, but most of us picked ourselves up, brushed ourselves off, tried to learn from the situation, then moved forward again. Makes me think what a great life I have had! I maintain a strong connection with the neighborhood of my youth and its people, and no matter what course they have taken their lives, they are to this day some of the most giving and generous people I know.
Sadly, while I support public assistance, I think some of the programs that politicians put in place actually create disincentives for people to succeed, or not to be able to succeed. It keeps them in their “place”. Frankly, I think some politicians use the poor as a political platform as a twisted way of showing how much they care. In reality, I think some politicians have utter contempt for the poor and even those who simply choose to live a humble life.