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Thomas’s last blog post..Abandoned Farm

Thomas: Maybe it isn’t that the question doesn’t have any answers. Maybe the problem is that we are even asking the question. When we ask the question, are we not setting up a hierarchy that basically values some people more than others? I’m not really comfortable with doing that. Perhaps that’s why I’m so uncomfortable and angry that this person who I quote said the things she said to me.

Saratica: I called her a “health care worker” to protect her identity. She actually has an even bigger title, perhaps one that you can guess, in the realm of healthcare.

Sarah: Yes, I see those two arguments you speak of. And I’m not exactly sure which one was the aim of the speaker I quote. Either way, I’m upset.

You know, if someone compared me to Gandhi (or someone similar), I’d probably have no problem accepting my “less than” status. But for anyone else, I can pretty much only say, “f@ck off!”

Every worker has an important function in society. Without all of them functioning, something would have to give. We succeed precisely because we are all integral parts working together. If not for all the lowly workers of the world, doctors would not be able to demand their high rates. As it is, do some research – people are delaying healthcare and hospitals are laying off people by the droves everywhere as a result. Remove money from the lower stratas of society and the higher ones feel it. Make life harder on those who already squeak by and everyone from doctors to lawyers to store owners are going to feel it too. As for the importance of doctors, sure healthcare is important, but it’s clear more people are taking their own health into their own hands by necessity. If you take good care of yourself you can help avoid needing a doctor. I recall a lot of elderly people in Costa Rica NOT on 8 or even 1 or 2 prescription drugs. Gee, how are they still alive some might ask. Medicine doesn’t shine in that area. I would say that for emergencies and necessary surgeries, medicine is at its best. In the area of preventative care and drugs it gets a big F in my book (and looks at the stats that support this failure). I think if people took a larger share of responsibility for their own health they wouldn’t need doctors, and then how important would doctors be? I would even go as far to say that avoiding doctors can be better for one’s health. I have seen a lot of people get on “necessary” drugs that caused all kinds of secondary health issues without really addressing the primary issue. But I have digressed quite a bit here. I think farmers are amongst the most important workers, for without them we don’t eat, but their pay certainly doesn’t reflect their importance. If store shelves were to go empty next week, would you be ready? Probably not, but you might find yourself heading to the nearest farm. I don’t know why anyone would even waste their time discussing the importance of someone’s job. Geez, my parents both worked at the post office. They were an important part of the mail system. I was never ashamed of what they did, and we got by just fine. My husband doesn’t make much money but he’s been a great contributer in his company in terms of the ideas and solutions he’s brought to the table. He doesn’t get compensated monetarily, but he is clearly appreciated. Why is anyone made to feel less important? I respect the cashiers at my local supermarkets. I respect janitors. garbage men, teachers, fast food workers and everyone else that makes our modern life as comfortable as it is. If someone criticizes you for your job, it says a lot about their own issues. I may not agree with the way you do things but I don’t dare to presume my way is better, just different. It isn’t for anyone to judge you. They may not relate to you, but that is fine and normal. Our job is just to make our families as happy and healthy as possible, including ourselves, and it’s not anyone’s job to judge how we go about that. I don’t have a blog prescisely because people in cyberspace are nasty and mean-spirited. I got enough of that on mothering.com and other places to know that the last thing I am going to do is reveal myself on the internet. If I do someday go back to that, it’s probably going to be a fluffy stuff because I am very private and I don’t like people to know much about me. I applaud you guys for putting such personal things out there though, knowing it invites criticism. Just don’t lose sleep over it, it’s not worth it. The only thing that matters is your own family and what works for you and what makes your kids happy. As for money, happiness is more tied with income here in the U.S. than in Costa Rica. I respect the Ticos for their ability to make the very best of their tough situations and to still manage lots of smiles and laughs and putting family first. Lots of miserable, well-off people here. Now, that said, I would have gone to Costa Rica with a lot more money than perhaps you did, but I also think it’s great that you set a date to go come hell or highwater and you took the plunge and just did it instead of waiting for that day. Lots of people also waiting for the right time to do things that are in their hearts, and sadly, that day never comes. Hang in there, I know it’s tough in the beginning but if you stay long enough you’ll remember fully well why you wanted to go there in the first place and your kids will acclimate. Takes some time but they are so resilient. Keep us posted, I love to hear your perspective on Ticolandia and all the crazy, annoying and beautiful things there.

All jobs contribute, all are valuable. Does it bring satisfaction? Provide for your family? Allow you sanity and peace? Those are my criteria.

Saratica’s last blog post..Sorry

And there are investment bankers. Or the overpaid financial execs who’ve brought the world to the precipice of financial collapse. The list of the needlessly overvalued goes on & on.