Exploiting the powerless doesn't do anybody any good

Exploiting the powerless doesn’t do anybody any good

I am very happy that Malcolm Cutchins is so upbeat about the American economy. I’m sure he worked hard throughout his career at the university and can enjoy the fruit of his labors and investments.

In his position, it is very hard for the economic downturn that we are in to touch him. But I might caution him to be less dismissive of those who do not find themselves in similar places of comfort. He noted that 96 percent of people are paying their mortgages. That is encouraging.

In order to do so, however, most of them are not worried about deciding whether they should follow their investments through the DOW or the S&P or if they should vacation at Myrtle Beach or some other place this year. Instead these mortgagees may be choosing between food and medications.

They are paying unexplainably high gas prices to get to their lousy-paying jobs (many have two) with no health care. Many are also in school or other programs to improve their lot but struggle to find good childcare.

They are paying their mortgage because they want to keep their homes and, in so doing, stabilize their families. While some homeowners find themselves in trouble because of trying to have too much too soon, many were talked into impossible mortgages by unethical loan companies.

The Proverbs are full of admonition to work hard, work honestly, plan for the future and the myriad things that contribute to poverty are outlined. But in 14:31, the writer warns, “You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless; when you’re kind to the poor, you honor God” (The Message).

Janet Deutsch
Auburn

Maybe Harbert’s children had other reasons not to attend Auburn

Among all of the other ramblings of Paul Davis last Sunday, one statement really stood out: “He (Harbert) has impeccable credentials, despite holding a bachelor’s degree in business from Auburn.”

That is my degree as well, and I must take exception to the insult.

In Paul’s perceptions, Harbert’s children went away to better schools than Auburn because he did not feel too good about academic credentials at Auburn. That is possible, but isn’t it possible they had other reasons for not going to Auburn? Maybe, Auburn did not offer the courses they needed. Perhaps, they did not meet the requirements at Auburn for some unexplained reasons.

Cornelius Griffin, an Auburn football signee, tried for two years to get into Auburn but never could and was subsequently accepted at Alabama and made All SEC (in football, not academics).
I do salute Paul on his noteworthy knowledge of nautical analogies. The part about charting a course through troubled waters was excellent for a non-Auburn grad.

Jim Dozier
Auburn