What is it with people and dogs? They seem to care inordinately for their dogs while ignoring the plight of people, notably those in need, the unemployed, in foreclosure, bankruptcy or the homeless.
It's as if it's their fault, (those who are in desperate need) that they only have themselves to blame for their current plight.
Where is the compassion, empathy and the realization it could be them (those in condescending indifference and contempt for those in need) rather than having sympathy for those who have fallen into the cracks and in unfortunate circumstances.
Was it always this way? Not having lived during the 1930's depression, it is difficult to know how people felt for those in need during those times.
One imagines however, with so many millions suffering a similar plight of unemployment, loss of house and home and destitution during those times there was a greater understanding and a definite empathy for such people.
Of course the rich would never be included with the "masses" as the former have always been (and continue to be) shielded and removed from those in unfortunate circumstances. But what of the middle class today, those with jobs who are able to pay the mortgage and other bills and adequately managing their affairs? What of their attitudes?
Those in the gentrified parts of cities (at least in Washington, D.C. where this writer is somewhat familiar) they seem immune from the ravages of the "great recession", walking confidently, exercising diligently, seemingly secure and above those who are suffering around them. They have their dogs on leashes, plastic bags at the ready waiting patiently to clean up for their pet's droppings.
It just seems while observing these rituals that the dogs seem more important to these people than those around them who are in need and are suffering.
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