‘Over-Prosperity’

The tragic case of Joan Morcom (“Bulldozed Into Homelessness,” Metro, Sept. 1) illustrates a trend that I have seen developing for some time and tearing at our social fabric. I call it “over-prosperity.” Over-prosperity exists when the economic good fortune of some actually begins to work against others. Joan Morcom could live as she wished, taking in stray dogs and harming no one except perhaps herself, as long as her neighborhood was relatively unprosperous. But when neighboring property values began rising, the bulldozers had to be called in. After all, what is one woman’s comfort or happiness when it stands against money?

Don’t misunderstand. I’m not against prosperity--I wish more people had it. But while prosperity has a healthy glow, over-prosperity emits a wicked, putrescent gleam. By that light we can see Joan Morcom and thousands like her, stumbling uncertainly through a harsher America.

In Part I on this day there is an article about the United States entering World War II 50 years ago. With all its difficulties, that earlier America would never have allowed Joan Morcom to be put on the street.

HERBERT G. ROSENBLOOM

Sepulveda