Should Work Be Rewarded

Should Work Be Rewarded?

I was talking to a young man the other day. He was at my place of work availing himself of our services. Unfortunately, he could not afford what needed to be done. I was sorry for him but there was nothing I could do. The price is the price.

He was the last person I talked to before I went to lunch. On my way out, I saw him on the sidewalk walking a bicycle. He recognized me and talked to me as we waited for the light to change. By his speech, I judged that he was not very educated and frankly, he didn't seem very intelligent, but I listened.

(Side note.) I saw a television show years ago. Many people know it. It is still in reruns to this day. It is called "All in the Family." In one show there was this character, a young man, that had a low IQ. Archie Bunker treated him like an idiot. But there came a time when the young man was able to teach Archie something he did not know. Archie was surprised and the boy was ecstatic, running out the door to his own home. Soon, he came back with a framed piece of paper. He showed it to Archie. It read: "Every Man is My Superior in that I May Learn from Him." I have never forgotten that. And every time I find myself thinking how superior I am, I remind myself of that.

As we stood together waiting for the light to change, I thought to myself, "He is not very smart." And then it happened. He said, "I know I'm dumb but I work hard, sometimes seven days a week. I can't afford to live alone. I have to ride this crappy bike. I'm doing the best I can. Is there an American Dream for me?"

I make more than twice as much as he does and I ask the same question.

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