John M. Tomaszewski – 1/13/05

This page was last updated on January 13, 2005.

The rich rule; John M. Tomaszewski; Beaver County Times; January 13, 2005.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“‘We will always have the poor with us’ is a statement often quoted by the politicians, clergy, and educators.”

[RWC] The sentiment is from the Bible. According to Mark 14:7, Jesus said, “For the poor you have always with you, and whenever you want you can do good to them; but you do not always have me.” I’m not a Bible scholar, but I believe the comment is not an endorsement of poverty, only a statement of fact.

“The poor are about 10 percent of the people. The poor are in the minority.”

[RWC] Does Mr. Tomaszewski want the poor to be in the majority? To understand the definition of “poor,” you should read Understanding Poverty in America by The Heritage Foundation.

“The rich are in the majority. The rich control the government.

“The majority of the Army Reserves are the sons and daughters of the poor. The poor have very little say in the state and federal governments, a sad case.

“As a result, the rich are getting richer and poor are getting poorer.”

[RWC] “The rich are in the majority?” What is Mr. Tomaszewski’s definition of “rich?”

Regarding the Reserves, Mr. Tomaszewski is buying into a myth. According to a 2003 survey by the Military Family Resource Center, 83.2% of Guard and Reserve officers have at least a college bachelor’s degree. 93.3% of enlisted members have at least a high school diploma. Both levels are higher than the rates for the overall U.S. population. Education level is a pretty good indicator of prosperity level. Given the education level of the Guard and Reserve, I believe the assertion that “The majority of the Army Reserves are the sons and daughters of the poor” is inaccurate.

The rich may be getting richer, but what proof does Mr. Tomaszewski have that the “poor are getting poorer?” Apparently he believes wealth is finite and one person’s wealth must be taken from another person. That is false.