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Date:         Fri, 13 Nov 1992 09:26:32 -0400
From:         The Integral Differential <DEMON@DESIRE.WRIGHT.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Things
Comments: To: POLITICS@OHSTVMA.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU

>T:
>...
>But one thing struck me - the title.  For going on twelve years now (longer,
>but the last 12 consecutively) I've been thinking that the way things ought
>to be and the way things are don't match up.  Let me give you some examples:
>
>You ought to be able to afford your own home.  Not a palace - but a home that
>you afford no matter what your profession - ditch digger or doctor.  But you
>can't.  Not anymore.

        But you can.  Where are you living?  Southern Cal?  San Fran?  Boston?
Out here in the midwest, where real estate speculators never destroyed the
housing market :), we have homes anywhere from $40k to "if you have to ask".
You can get a 1500-1700 sq. ft. tri-level built for about $60k (exclusive of
land, etc.).
        Now, saying that I should be able to build that same house on Manhattan
for the same price is silly.  Some places cost more to live in.  Although with
the exodus from California north and east, home prices should continue to fall
there.

>You ought to be able to work hard at your job and get something fair in return.
>Like a decent wage.  Advancement opportunity if you're good enough.  Some way
>to take care of your family if you get sick or hurt.  But you can't. Not
>anymore.

        Yes, you can.  Now if your digging ditches, I hope you're not expecting
anything more than $5/hour.
        Entry level computer & engineering professionals out here are making
$28-$35k out here.  Notice the house prices above.  A very comfortable wage.
Milk is $1/gal (so is gas), hamburger is $1.79/lb (the better stuff, not the 7%
fat stuff), bread is $0.70/loaf, etc.  (We've been having grocery wars for
about two years now :)
        Maybe you should transfer.

>You ought to be able to walk the streets at night without fear - not because
>you're packing heat but because your neighborhood is safe.  But you can't. Not
>anymore.

        Well, I can.  Once again maybe you need to look at the area you live
in.  I wouldn't expect to live in any urban area and be "safe".

>You ought to be able to walk into a company the best qualified candidate and
>walk out with a job - regardless of your color or gender or orientation or
>affiliation.  But you can't.  Not anymore.

        Nope.  Especially not if your an evil WASP.

>You ought to be able, if you apply yourself, nose to the grindstone, and work
>your tail off, to receive the best education and professional preparation on
>the planet.  But you can't.  Not anymore.

        T, I really think you're just hanging out with the wrong crowd :).  I
went to one of the best high schools in the USA (public, too :).  Then to Ohio
State and Wright State.  Absolutely nothing stood in my way.  Anyone who gets
good grades has access to at least student loans, if not scholarships.

>You ought to be able to love whom you choose - and raise a family if you so
>desire - without legal or social interference.  But you can't.  Not anymore.

        Why not?  If you're gay, I can see why you think not, but heterosexuals
have no problems, at least not here.  (No, blacks are not strung up for
marrying white women, ask my neighbors.)

>You ought to be able to have the information and means to stay healthy - and if
>you should get sick, you ought to have access to the finest medical care on the
>planet.  But you can't.  Not anymore.

        I do.

>You ought to able, as a hard-working member of society, to afford the basics of
>food, clothing and other necessities of life without going into debt.  But you
>can't.  Not anymore.

        I can.

>You ought to be able to be judged on your merits and talents, and not prejudged
>on the basis of your outward appearance.  But you can't.  Not anymore.

        It will take generations to remove social stigmas.  That's certainly
not the fault of the Republicans.

>You ought to be able to be free of presun
>to be able to be free of presumptive justice, and not simply arrested
>and/or convicted due to the color of your skin.

        True.  But once again, you can't blame any political party for racism.
That's been around as long as people have realized that some people look
different.

>You ought to be able to love this country, be proud of it - and still fight for
>changes you may believe are needed without being told to love America or leave
>it.  But you can't. Not anymore.

        Why not?  Did not Bill Clinton get elected?  (I hope you're not saying
that certain "get out" posts constitute endemic persecution of non-incumbent
party members.)

>You see, we may have had some of these problems before 1981, but they sure have
>increased since then.  What I see as ought - ain't.  And I see why.  But I also
>see something else:  we're in for a change.  Maybe I can have hope, now, that
>things may be different with a new leadership for the country.  Maybe now, I
>won't have to see so many *oughts* - and see some *ares*.  Maybe, just maybe,
>things will start to be what they ought to be.
>
>Looking for hope in the wee hours....

        I'm not surprised that some people have harbored hate for those in
power the last 12 years.  It's always easier to find a scapegoat than to look
yourself in the mirror and admit that only you can change your life.
        There's nothing like looking back in anger.

Brett'