Detroiter walks 21 miles in work commute

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by finnbow

After hearing this story, a Wayne State junior started a web-based collection to buy this car a car and pay his insurance. The goal was $25K. He collected $250K for Mr. Robertson.

This demonstrates the generosity of individuals and nothing more: "a thousand points of light". It should be the responsibility of society as a whole to ensure that individual spontaneous charitable outbursts of this sort is largely unnecessary.

John

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

It's not, Pat. But, as I said above, I don't believe all is being considered and the basic question Rob posed is a valid one. Although I would amend it to read ".....him or his employer.". And, my answer is that no one should have to do either.

Dave

I saw Mr. Robertson being interviewed last night on the TV news. He hadn't complained and wasn't complaining about his lot in life. He liked his job, his employer, his wages and demonstrated quite a work ethic. He was an very upstanding, gracious guy who was OK with the choices he made.

It was the Detroit news that picked up the story and made him a cause célèbre and local Detroiters, once hearing about it, organized and gave him a bunch of money. In response to John's (Boreas') post, this didn't in any way make me "hate this place." In fact, the TV feature warmed my heart a bit.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by finnbow

How exactly is his chosen domicile and job the fault of his employer?

This paints the issue in grossly distorted terms. Nobody is accusing his employer of anything and assigning Mr. Robertson's plight to "personal life choices". I suppose he "chose" to be poor too.

The fact is, a poor person living in a dysfunctional city has precious few options when it comes to either housing or employment. Robertson lives where he can and works where he can for what wage his employer is willing to pay. Claiming that his predicament is somehow his own fault is both insensitive and cruel.

John

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by finnbow

In response to John's (Boreas') post, this didn't in any way make me "hate this place." In fact, the TV feature warmed my heart a bit.

See post #11.

John

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Boreas

The fact is, a poor person living in a dysfunctional city has precious few options when it comes to either housing or employment. Robertson lives where he can and works where he can for what wage his employer is willing to pay. Claiming that his predicament is somehow his own fault is both insensitive and cruel.

John

Who said anything about it being his fault? I have great admiration for the guy. Take a look at this news report and it may change your view of what actually happened in Detroit.

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/intern...walks-to-work/

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by finnbow

I saw Mr. Robertson being interviewed last night on the TV news. He hadn't complained and wasn't complaining about his lot in life. He liked his job, his employer, his wages and demonstrated quite a work ethic. He was an very upstanding, gracious guy who was OK with the choices he made.

The one percenters do love a compliant wage slave.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by finnbow

How exactly is his chosen domicile and job the fault of his employer?

Any idea how much money it takes to move these days?

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by merrylander

Any idea how much money it takes to move these days?

Sure. Is his employer responsible for the high cost of a move?

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

The one percenters do love a compliant wage slave.

Do you know that the owner of the business he works for is a 1 percenter? If so, how?

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Who said anything about it being his fault?

"How exactly is his chosen domicile and job the fault of his employer?"

There is a clear implication in the above that there is something blameworthy about Mr. Robertson's situation. If it's not the employer's fault and it's not Mr. Robertson's fault, then perhaps the blame lies with society.

Which was my point.

I have great admiration for the guy. Take a look at this news report and it may change your view of what actually happened in Detroit.

Why should that report change my opinion? Mr. Robertson does indeed seem to be quite a guy but the point I made earlier is still valid. His situation, a situation that shouldn't exist in an ideal society, was ameliorated through individual acts of charity. That shouldn't be necessary.

John