People And Pedestals

I have a few disparate ideas I wish to talk about. They both involve how we treat people. In one case we take advantage of them. In another we take them for granted. I have a real problem with the usury rates of interest being charged to low-income borrowers. I also find it hypocritical that so many suddenly miss and mourn Michael Jackson. Both points are on my mind and both reflect what I call wrong-thinking.

A well-worn saying is "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer." Banks charge fees when your account is overdrawn. If you have no money to begin with how can you pay extra fees on top of it? If you are desperate for a car there are companies that will provide you financing. The interest rates they charge add up to almost half a house payment. The worst abuse comes in the form of payday loans.

Some people may receive these loans in their communities. Others see commercials on television. Wherever you get your loan you should be ready to pay a lot of money for a very long time. The interest rates can climb into the 500% range and higher. The fine print is rarely read and the traps laid out are many. I wish I had better advice for those who use these loan services, other than to say, just do not do it!

Regarding the death of pop icon Michael Jackson the whole thing has gone too far. People who could not have cared less about him are suddenly crying on camera and declaring their undying love. Naturally his music is selling like hotcakes. The media is eating this up. They love nothing better than speculation and controversy. This all begins when we place people on such high pedestals.

Everyday people deserve admiration because, unlike entertainers, they do not expect it. We behave as if stars are such perfect people that we forget that they are merely human after all. When some famous person does something that goes against our perceptions we respond in shock. Why should we be surprised that stars are not gods? The higher we put them the farther they have to fall when they inevitably show their true colors.

We abuse the less fortunate by asking for more than they can afford to give. We shun the more fortunate when they reveal their humanity. Let us not push down nor raise up our fellow human beings. Let us see people for what they are. We are fallible creatures. We need, love, bleed and die. Only God gives when we do not deserve it or spare us punishment when we have earned it. The rest of us should simply try to do what is right and get along with our fellow men and women.