Why the Rich Get Richer, and the Poor Get Poorer

Yesterday I went to a rally in support of our school district's two levies which are currently on the ballot. We met downtown in front of one of the middle schools. It was a deja vu experience, since we had a few rallies there back in September during the strike. I might add that the turnout was better for the strike, as well as the enthusiasm of supporting horn honks from cars during the strike...This levy rally was poorly attended. I hope it isn't an indication of a bad voting result...

Anyway, while I was holding a sign and waving to cars, a former student of mine came over. I had her as a 6th grader three years ago. I really liked her, and it was great seeing her. She is now a ninth grader at one of the high schools, and is on the basketball team. As luck would have it, she was selling coupon books for $10.00. And so yes, I dug through my purse to find enough cash, and bought one.

Then I said to her, "See that well-dressed man over there? He is our school district's Superintendant, and he makes about $240,000.00 a year. More than our vice-president of the United States. Go ask him to buy a coupon book or two."

So she headed off to hit him up. I remember that she was never shy...He didn't buy one, though, as he said he didn't have any cash on him, but that she should email his office on Monday.

Then I also told her, "See that short man over there with the tan? A nice tan for February...He is a member of our school board. He owns a restaurant in town. He has money, too. Go ask him to buy a coupon book."

She did, but I'm not sure if he bought one or not. I just thought it was interesting that the poor teacher digs through her purse to gather $10, but two people to whom money is no object could not even buy one $10 coupon book from a student in a district they represent. The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.