I went to Miami Beach this past week, and spent half the day talking with a local homeless man.  His name is Timothy, which I only learned when a Miami Beach police officer pulled us both aside and asked for our identifications.

“Did I do something wrong, officer?”

Let’s back up.

Around 9 o’clock in the morning, I decided to jump in the ocean at South Beach.  It was warm, and I needed to get clean.  I hadn’t showered since Denver.  When I was finished lingering around all the sun-kissed eye candy, I went back to my van to gather recession stories.

Halfway into the day, Timothy approached me and proclaimed, “I’m so (expletive) fed up with this country,” and proceeded to leave.

I yelled out, “What are you so sick of?”

As it turns out, Timothy had a great job in the construction industry in Rhode Island.  He moved to Miami in the summer of 2005, when he says the recession just started to nosedive for him.  He wanted to get away and simply enjoy what life has to offer, including the benefits of Florida’s tropical weather.

As we talked, my legs cooked.  They cooked badly.  I’ve only heard of the great weather so many Floridians speak about.  Certainly I have not experienced it.

Timothy started telling me about all the neighborhood crime he’s witnessed in the past few years at Miami Beach.  It was excessive.  He explained that he’s fed up with the corruption in the police force, and the class-discrimination that occurs to the homeless population in Miami.

At first, I was thinking this guy is just a talker.  He’s just a guy blowing steam, and his stories didn’t seem to have anything to do with the recession.  I felt like I was wasting my time, but I find it difficult to walk away from a conversation when the other person has so much to say.  So I listened to his crime stories, one after another.

Timothy pointed to a big house across the street.  “See that house?  That’s Versace’s Mansion,” he said.

“You mean the fashion designer that was murdered several years ago?”

“Yeah.  He was unlocking that gate right there, and a kid walked up and shot him. That was in ‘97.  I didn’t live here when it happened.”

Interesting.

Then he proceeded to explain that a pregnant woman was stabbed to death in the alley behind Versace’s Mansion a few months ago because she was pregnant.  Apparently, she was the girlfriend of a local pimp, and she had been forced into a prostitution ring against her will.

Timothy said that prostitution is huge in Miami, and I wholeheartedly believe him since just the night before I had witnessed a group of men trying to lure every pretty woman walking down the street into their hotel room to talk, and also due to the massive billboard campaign against rape that’s plastered throughout Florida.  It also came to my attention that several of the men selling CDs on the street corner are known pimps, and that the music is just a cover for their sex business.

As we continued our dialogue, I learned that two homeless men were recently murdered in the park where we stood, and that members of a youth gang had walked up to the men and crushed their heads against the pavement while they were sleeping.  They were Timothy’s friends.

At this point in time, I was beginning to wonder when Timothy would make some arguments against the Miami Police.  After all, these stories only cemented in my mind the need for a strong police force.  Then I started to hear the other stories.

Several months ago, a man stole a taxicab and was then murdered by the police, according to Timothy.  This apparently happened just two blocks from where the pregnant woman was murdered, in the same alleyway.

Timothy said he was in the park when he heard gunshots.  Within minutes, the police were everywhere.  He said he walked toward the area, and there was a man lying dead in the street.  Several witnesses stood and watched, and Timothy approached each of these groups to ask what happened.  All of the witnesses apparently said they had just watched a man get murdered by the police.

I was told that in the official police report, it was explained that the man who was shot and killed by police was still in the taxicab when he was killed.  According to Timothy, the man was clearly outside of the vehicle and unarmed.  Apparently, the witnesses saw the man get shot while he was already out of the vehicle.

I asked Timothy why the police would do something like that, and he replied, “The police are corrupt around here.  They’ll do anything to prove that they are in control.  Most of it is run by the mafia.”

This was a little far-fetched to me, and I couldn’t quite comprehend that the police would have such a blatant disregard for protocol and ethical standards.  Why would they be so unjust and disrespectful of human life?  This is America!

Then Timothy told me a story about how he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle through town.  When he woke up, he was handcuffed to the hospital bed and eventually spent two months in jail.  They apparently locked him up for assault and battery, but he only remembers getting hit by a car.

I asked him why they would throw him in jail for no reason, and he said the cops don’t like homeless people.  He said the police stop at nothing to rid the area of homeless people.

Just then, a police officer pulled up.  Ironic.

Yeah, we got hassled.  Honestly, I was being a bit of a smart ass.  In a very polite manner, I challenged everything the officer said.  He explained that tourists like to take pictures at the bench where we were sitting because of a sign behind us.  I asked if there was an ordinance against us sitting at the bench, and the officer said he could find something if necessary.

I didn’t have my identification on me because I was still in my swim trunks from earlier that morning.  I gave the officer my name and birth date, and I had to spell it out a few times because he was apparently dyslexic.  Finally, I told him I could give him my card, and I slowly reached for my pocket.  I just happened to have a business card in my dry swim trunks.

What happened next was unbelievable.  The officer pulled his gun out of the holster and told me to get my hand away from my pocket.  Are you kidding me?!!  He didn’t aim it, but the idea that he would show his force in such an inappropriate and threatening way astounded me.  Keep in mind, the officer already told me I had done nothing wrong, and that gave me the impression that I could move freely just like any other tourist that wants to put their hands in their pockets.

Yesterday, I had a nice conversation with two cops in Georgia.  They explained that if you’re respectful to the police, that you’ll generally get the same respect in return.  These two officers stated that the cop in Miami seemed like a jerk, but that the job is very unforgiving sometimes.

Luckily, I was let off with just a warning.  What really amazed me, though, was the obvious discrimination and harassment that occurred to this homeless man I was speaking with.

I also heard from a Florida homeowner that said a lot of people are now becoming homeless due to a combination of disasters, including hurricanes and foreclosures.  I was even told that the National Guard is expected to come in if there’s another hurricane this year, because so many more people are becoming homeless, and they won’t have control over looting and massive riots unless they bring in extra force.

In Orlando, I spoke to a man that believes America is on the verge of developing a new government control standard that will order parts of our society into inhumane submission.  He went as far as saying that concentration camps would be set up by the U.S. government, and that minorities and people without income will be sent to these work prisons.  His explanation was that poor people are more likely to act on their survival instincts, and that all it takes is a natural disaster or another terrorist attack, and these people will be forced to exhaust all options for survival before getting thrown in jail and forced to work in one of these prisons.

The man explained that concentration camps are already in operation throughout parts of Africa, and that he expects the craze to reach Europe before being indoctrinated into American culture.

He said it’s unbelievable how many Americans are unaware of the atrocities happening in places like Sudan and Uganda.  If people maintain this kind of ignorance, he says, it’s just a matter of time before concentration camps are socially acceptable in the U.S.

Do you think it’s plausible that concentration camps could be developed in the United States in the near future?

Comments (8) Aug 13 2009

When I pulled into Orlando, Florida, I found a group of union protesters marching in front of AT&T.    I had to stop.  I rolled out my Tyvek banner, and I even got on the loudspeaker to invite people to share their recession stories.  That was exciting.

As the protesters continued to walk in circles, I spoke with one of the organizers.  I wanted to know exactly why they were protesting.

The organizer told me that the contract between AT&T and the labor union was ending on August 8^th.  I wanted to know the significance of that.  He explained that all employee benefits are tied to the contract, from payroll to retirement, to healthcare, to sick leave, etc.

Then I asked the organizer what happens if the union doesn’t get a contract signed.  He explained that AT&T would standardize their employee benefits across 14 southern states.  In comparison to other things I’ve learned on my journey, this didn’t seem so bad.  To clarify, I asked rhetorically if that meant Florida employees would get exactly the same benefits as all the other states.

Just then, a protester jumped into the conversation and explained that Florida AT&T employees have “awesome benefits” that are better than any other state, and they want to keep it that way.

I cringed.

The reason is that, although the protesters seemed likeable, I’m still trying to write exactly what I see.  From what I learned, it just doesn’t seem that AT&T is partaking in any so-called greedy behavior.

The signs at the protest generically read “All Americans Deserve Healthcare”, and “CEO Pay Is Nuts”.  This signage didn’t seem to have anything to do with AT&T, but was simply a political jab at an easy target.

People, we’re in a recession here!  Do you realize how many workers would kill to have your job?  Do you realize how many people will most likely be laid off if you negotiate your “awesome” contract?

Some workers in California are missing 18% of their salary due to furlough.  A Harvard-educated worker in Aspen, Colorado can’t even find an $11/hour job to make ends meat.  I heard from a woman in Port St. Lucie, Florida that went from making $33 per hour down to $9 per hour.  But your company is still offering benefits, and you’re not getting any less than your neighboring states.

On the other hand, I heard from a woman that has worked for AT&T for 29 years.  She felt betrayed by her company.  She explained that her retirement is now being jeopardized because the contract was ending, and she really seemed stirred up.

I also heard from a guy that said a lot of these companies are making cuts because they can get away with it, and not necessarily because they have to do it.

I suppose we all feel the recession differently, and a lot of it comes down to context, perception, and expectations.

What are your thoughts?

Comments (3) Aug 13 2009

What an amazing town.  The people… The music… The energy… Ahh, it’s so nice and personable, and fun!  I love the character in the buildings, too.

I was surprised to get so many stories in New Orleans, especially because so many people told me the city was doing well now.  Upon entering the town, I spoke to a dark-skinned man who explained that a lot of the jobs that resulted in stimulus funding went to people who moved to New Orleans to fill those positions.  I got the impression he was referring to light-skinned people.

This morning, I met a man from Detroit named Bernard, who lost his job manufacturing nuts & bolts for the auto industry.  He moved to New Orleans to look for work, but he hasn’t had any luck.  Although he maintained a professional outlook and wore respectable clothing, he explained that he is homeless for the first time.  He’s been on the streets for about a month, and it’s extremely difficult he said.

Bernard is a perfect example of what’s happening during this recession.  He’s a hard-working, respectable guy that’s completely down on his luck.  My first impression was that he was financially secure.  He looked like a yuppie!  But he was carrying a small black bag.

“Anyone in New Orleans that’s carrying a bag is homeless,” he said.  “It doesn’t matter what kind of bag it is.  It could be a grocery bag, a luggage bag; it doesn’t matter.  They’re homeless.”

Within a few minutes, another man walked by with an identical small black bag as Bernard’s.  This other man shared his story, and explained that he made $200 last night having sex with a married woman.  He seemed proud to have made that money, but Bernard assured me the guy didn’t sleep with anyone desirable.  Bernard said only a really desperate woman would pay $200 to sleep with an ugly homeless guy.

Although it’s irrelevant, I thought Bernard made an interesting observation.  What fascinated me, though, was Bernard’s attitude toward this other man and homeless people in general.  He said he looks down on them because they don’t contribute to society; they just take.  I couldn’t help to recognize the juxtaposition of his thoughts and his current state in life.  On the one hand, I admire his refusal to because a supposed “low life” despite homelessness.  On the other hand, I’m afraid it will make his journey more difficult to accept as he continues his process of homeless realization.  I hope he gets out of it quick.  He doesn’t seem like the type to be in this position.

Comments (0) Aug 02 2009

Well, my camera is officially busted.  No more Flickr.  No more amateur photojournalism.  I’m so sad.

When I was in Houston a few days ago, it started raining.  The raindrops were warm, and I just HAD to go for a walk.  I took everything out of my pockets, except for my camera.  After getting drenched (while holding and protecting my camera in my pocket), I decided to walk toward my van to change my clothing.

I was wearing flip-flops, and the concrete below me was very smooth.  I walked down some steps.  Next thing I know, BAM!  My head is against the ground and my camera is in a puddle of warm, drippy, mischievous water.  The puddle was laughing at me.

Now I’m in Mississippi, and I’m thankful that I was at least able to use my cell phone camera to post a few shots on Facebook when I was in New Orleans yesterday.  I love New Orleans.  The people, the music, the energy… It was amazing.  I just wish I had a better way to prove it.

Comments (2) Aug 02 2009

On my way to Kansas, I met a very interesting person with a unique perspective on the recession.  For the sake of anonymity, I will refer to him as “George”.  George has chosen to give up on America.

George is a Vietnam Vet, a former Navy Seal, and the owner of a very successful fuel company.  He recently purchased a 40-foot yacht, and his plan is to sail to the Philippines and claim his own island (can he do that?).  He plans to build an eco-community, where everyone that lives there will work to ensure the success of the habitat, and no money will be exchanged for any reason whatsoever.  He plans to set sail in less than two months.  Any takers?

As I listened to George’s reasoning, I couldn’t help but be enamored by his charisma and sense of adventure.  I thought, “This guy should be a motivational speaker… or a cult leader.”  Of course, by saying that, I am mischaracterizing his intentions.  He seemed like a nice guy (reminded me of comedian Norm McDonald) with a larger-than-life personality, and I’m sure it will be an amazing experience for all those who join him.

You might be wondering… Why?

He started by explaining that he has served this country for years, and he’s never received the benefits, recognition, or gratitude that he deserved as a military person.  He said that Vietnam was a bad political joke, and that Veteran Affairs has continued to fail at providing the support he believes our service people need.

Then he said that we live in a programmed world, where no one thinks anymore.  He explained that we are conditioned to economic slavery, and that from the day we’re born, we are placed into a system where all we do is chase money.

George used the example of gas prices to prove his point.  He explained that when prices reach $2.50 per gallon, we take a deep breath.  When prices hit $3.50 a gallon, we scream, and when they hit $4.00 per gallon, we’re outraged.  When a gas station lowers their price back to $3.50, we flock to that station and proclaim, “Wow, what a great deal!”  And the cycle starts all over, but with less affordable pricing.

He also explained that young people are encouraged to go to college, not to learn, but to find a job, so that they can buy a home, open up credit cards, and become more dependent on this economic system.

Furthermore, he believes that the media supports a message of nationalism, and that it’s not only frowned upon to speak out against the government, but that it implies a form of terrorist-like opposition.  He equated this sentiment to the regime of Hitler.

The problem, according to George, is that the people have fallen victim to a gang of wealthy families that have been controlling America for years, by infiltrating the government and capitalizing on the masses.  These people include the Bush family, according to George, and he claims that the motivation for all of our wars in the last several decades has been rooted in a desire for oil, land, political power, and especially massive wealth.

Additionally, he said that terrorism is the consequence of our country’s actions throughout the world.  If it weren’t for the injustices that arise from American greed, he said, then terrorists would leave America alone.  Freedom is something that all human beings desire (including terrorists), he explained, and that the misconstrued and politically motivated definitions of freedom are what make America a target for terrorism.

The answer, according to George, is to break free of the system by learning to be self-sufficient.  By growing your own food, sharing with your neighbors, and refusing to participate in the tax system, we can all supposedly overcome the bondage that has restricted our true freedoms, according to George.

What are your thoughts?

Comments (7) Aug 02 2009

I broke down in Grand Junction, Colorado two weeks ago when I overheated.  After several hours, I continued down the road until a belt broke.  I pulled off at a truck stop in Cameo at 3am, and had a nice conversation with the gas station attendant for about four hours.

I learned that 73% of residents in the neighboring town of Collbran are without jobs.  I also learned that Halliburton used to have 3,500 employees in the area, but in February they laid off about 2,000 people (according to the attendant and local residents).

The attendant I spoke with has five children and her husband.  She was working the night shift because nothing else is available in her town.  Since the recession, she’s lost her home to foreclosure, and she said they’re living in a fifth-wheeler on a vacant piece of mountain land.  She said their closest neighbor is a man who lost his job and is now living off the land in a tent just down the road. A trucker came in and explained that the major industry is natural gas, and that the cost of production is too high to continue operations.  There’s oil in them mountains, he says, but no one’s taking advantage of it.  Everything’s out of whack, he says.

Consequently, a lot of immigrants, both legal and illegal, have left the area because workers with college degrees are replacing a lot of the “lower-earning” positions that are typically filled by the immigrant workforce.

In Glenwood Springs, it was the same story.  People are over-qualified for the jobs they take, and that’s only if they’re lucky enough to actually find a lower-paying job.  I heard from a woman with a Harvard degree and 12 years of work experience, and she hasn’t been able to find anything in eight months.  I spoke with a mountain sport instructor (skiing in winter, biking in summer) that has only seen half the business he typically gets.  And a tow truck operator who kindly replaced my water pump and got me back on the road explained that his business has been hit hard, because people aren’t going out as much and getting their vehicles stuck in those Colorado mountains.

Then I went to a counseling / rehabilitation center to learn some new perspectives on the recession.  I learned that a lot of the younger residents have turned to drugs and alcohol specifically because of their financial situation.  The counselor explained that in Colorado, liquor stores are as common as gas stations.  As I traveled through the area, I discovered that it’s true.

Before leaving town for Denver, I met a young man who was waiting for the bus.  Turns out, he moved from Jersey to start a new life after hitting rock bottom with a heroine addiction.  He lost everything. Moving to Colorado, he says, was a way to break away from his old life and move on to something better.  He’s been sober for the last several months, and he credits God for helping turn his life around.  He’s currently homeless, but he’s thankful for his job at Wendy’s.  Unfortunately, the local hostel charges about $10 per night, and that’s half of his wage since he can only get part time hours.

How is it that homelessness costs so much?  What can this struggling man do to get out of his situation?  I’m hoping it doesn’t turn to more hopelessness.  I hope he doesn’t find the liquor stores.  I hope that people will recognize these real problems that are affecting their neighbors, and I hope that our society will realize how important it is to help these people stay out of trouble.  He’s so close to success!  He has accomplished so much by staying away from drugs.  But when we don’t encourage and support those people that need help, it’s like cutting off a limb.  I wish more people would take a more empathetic approach to limb reconstruction.  It’s your community.  Take pride in your neighbors.

Comments (14) Aug 02 2009

This journey has been very interesting to me.  It’s also sad for many reasons.

Throughout the project, I’ve tried to allow as many perspectives and experiences into the conversation.  I’ve also tried to stay as neutral as possible, so that all types of people feel welcome voicing their stories and perspectives.  Of course, I don’t claim to be completely objective.  I’m a person, and people are subjective.  If you disagree with me, you could be right.

So…

I wasn’t expecting to hear so much anger and frustration toward President Obama, but I suppose I should have known better.  What’s disturbing to me, though, is the irrational, paranoid, and often racist reasoning I’ve heard from people throughout the country.  I’ve heard from a lot of people that have voiced empty threats toward the president, and oftentimes it consists of violent, historically-inspired racial contexts that make me cringe.  I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

On the flip side, there are so many people with valuable stories and perspectives, and I won’t discount the experiences of others just because their voice is different from my own.  I want this project to reflect the true America, in all it’s glory and repugnance.

To be fair, a lot of the voices I’ve heard are from citizens who are deeply concerned with Obama’s economic strategies without expressing any racial undertones.  I’ve also heard from a lot of people that are upset with the Republican party for creating a fear campaign against Obama.  From what I can tell, the campaign is working.

In Colorado, I spoke to a man from Ohio who believes the president is secretly part of Al Quaida, and that he isn’t a citizen of the United States.  I asked the man what kind of proof he has, and he replied, “I just don’t know what people were thinking when they hired a black president.”

How do you reply to something like that?  Sadly, a lot of people have shared similar views that I consider to be undeniably racist.  It’s opening my eyes, to say the least.  I also get the sense that America will enter a new phase of the civil rights movement very soon.  It hasn’t happened yet.  Obama’s presidency is the precursor for what’s to come.  Just a sense.

What are your thoughts?

Comments (3) Jul 28 2009

So in case I haven’t been clear, you’re all welcome to write your recession stories on this website.  Just reply to any of the blogs (how about this one?), and share your story.  It’s a great way to get things out, and to let others know what you’re dealing with.  If nothing else, it will help a few people to learn some empathy.  What’s your story?

Comments (12) Jul 27 2009

Las Vegas kind of pissed me off.  First of all, I don’t have air conditioning.  Las Vegas was 111 degrees the day I got there.  To make things worse, I had to drive through the Mohave Desert to get to Vegas.  I have no idea how hot it was, but the wind on my arm seemed hotter than the inside of my van.

When I got there, I had to drive down the Las Vegas Strip.  It was unimpressive.  It was everything I imagined, but even less interesting.  Why do people care so much about money?  Is it really that exciting?  The façade is so cheap to me.  Even the prostitute I talked to agreed with me.

Of course, I had to try gambling for the experience.  I started with five dollars.  I lost two dollars on the quarter slots, two dollars on the nickel slots, and one dollar on the penny slots.  Fun.

Then I saw a sign that said, “Know your limit before you start.”  My limit was five dollars, but that sign made me SO tempted to keep playing.  I put another five into the penny slots, but this time I did thirty-cent wagers.  I actually started winning, but it was only at half the rate that I was losing.  When I lost that five, I called it quits.  Although my money is tight, I don’t regret wasting ten bucks to learn why people get addicted to gambling.  I think it adds another context to my portrait of America.

Wait, I need to back up.  Before I gambled, I spent the entire day figuring out the social contrasts of the city.  I found it interesting that Las Vegas has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country, and yet other people don’t blink an eye when they throw down a grand on craps.

I visited Catholic Community Services (CCS), an organization that helps get people on their feet through housing services, employment counseling, and food assistance.  The entire city block was lined with tents and people who didn’t necessarily look homeless.  I learned that many people who have lost their homes due to the recession have turned to CCS for assistance.

I also spent time collecting stories on the strip.  I couldn’t believe how apathetic people were.  No one cared.  They just walked like herds from one casino to the next.  I tried explaining the project, and all I got was, “that’s nice”.

Then I realized I was set up right next to the porn stand.  Other guys were handing out “porn” flyers, and I think most people assumed “The Man in a Van Project” was a gigolo business.  But I can assure you, there’s nothing sexy about the recession.  I have a really bad farmer’s tan with dark arms and super-white shoulders, and I won’t shave my chest (or anything else) for anyone.  Nothing about this project is sexy.

When I was parked on level 5 at MGM Grand’s parking structure, I sat in the driver’s seat for about three hours until two o’clock in the morning.  During that time, a man walked by with about ten women at his side.  I heard him say, “How has the recession affected you.  It hasn’t, you (explicative) (explicative).”

Then he saw me sitting in the driver’s seat and sweating from the heat, and we locked eyes.  I glared, and he turned and started walking faster toward his car.  It was hilarious.

When I left, I was decidedly glad to leave.  I don’t value the pretenses and plastic personalities that juxtaposed a poor, struggling, surrounding community.

Comments (2) Jul 21 2009

Yesterday, I was on The Price Is Right.  I sat in Contestant’s Row for the entire taping, but I wasn’t actually a contestant.  I was in the fifth best seat in the entire studio.

I got to CBS Studios in Hollywood at about 11pm the night before.  I pulled out my lawn chair, and stayed up the whole night.  For several hours, there were only a handful of people waiting in line.  In front of me were Kevin from Missouri (with an “i” at the end, not an “a”) and his buddy Cliff from Norwalk, CA, along with their three girlfriends, Jessica, Heather, and Holly, one of which was a cousin.  This redneck quintet was drinking “Gatorade” the entire night, an electrolyte-enhanced sports drink that seemed to also be enhanced by the flavor of drunken bum stench.

At about 3am, Kevin peed on my back tire.

I also met a man from Louisiana by the name of Corbett.  He’s a retired college professor, with a kind, calm, sociable demeanor.  He explained that his house had flooded from Hurricane Rita, but that Katrina missed him due to location.  He said it was a tough blow for the city, but that New Orleans is actually doing well now.

According to the statistics I found, he’s correct, in that New Orleans has not been hit as hard as other states from the recession.  I suspect that’s because the hurricanes already destroyed those statistics.  It will be interesting to see the progress of this city in person when I travel there in two weeks, and to compare it with Corbett’s analysis.

I also met a family from Utah that tried to clarify Mormon teachings to Kevin (the Missouri redneck), who happened to be conditionally interested in joining the Church of Latter-Day Saints if it meant he could have 10 wives.  Turns out, that’s only if you belong to a “cult”, which apparently has nothing to do with the Church of LDS.  I also learned that Mormonism is a secular term, and that Mormons don’t actually refer to themselves as Mormons.  If this is true, I think they should change that.  “Mormon” is a hell of a lot easier to say than “members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints”.  Say that 10 times real fast.

In the end, I got a few stories from people at the Price is Right, and I had a great time trying to get on and win some money to pay for my trip.  I also went to the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. (in front of the Chinese Theatre) in Hollywood, and I collected a lot of stories from the recession there.  One of the stories that stood out to me was from a stripper that took her job because it paid a lot of money.  She looked like a high school kid wearing expensive, provocative clothing that would generally be about ten years out of her price range.

This reminded me of a conversation I had with a Portland man who said people should take whatever kind of job they can get, whether they like it or not.  He proceeded to explain that he hates his job, but that he makes loads of cash.  While I’m uncertain whether or not this girl enjoys stripping, I’m certain that it raises questions about the moral implications of market-based employment.  Someone’s daughter gets financially rewarded in our society because she’s willing to turn herself into a sex object.  Why is it that she can get rich when people in the housing industry aren’t making a dime?  Is the price right?  Let’s just hope construction workers don’t start stripping.

Comments (0) Jul 15 2009