Letter to the editor

In his column "One's place in life" ( Pique March 2, 2001), G.D. Maxwell waxes wittily self-righteous over his middle-income status. Pointing the finger at those who can afford larger homes and more amenities, he takes exception to their morally dubious hiring of Help. He then clumps himself and most locals (the good guys – those not toooo much richer than good ole G.D.) into the Hired Help category, being taken advantage of by the big, bad, Republican/Liberal, SUV-driving, clearcutting, caviar-sucking Rich.

Who cleans the Pique's floors and toilets? Who services G.D.'s car, rises in the cold dawn to make his bagels, tills the rice paddies where his rice is grown, works the landfill where his trash is whisked and sewage dumped?

It's easy to look at those who have more and blame them for their excess. Perhaps looking in the other direction, to those in homes and countries who have so much less, would be more illuminating. We have seen the arrogant, and they are wee.

Pam Barnsley

Whistler