Day Laborers

One need look no further than the pages of The Times to enjoy one of the minor ironies of urban life. Consider the plight of the lowly day laborer, risking arrest or deportation to gain a few hours’ wages. Unlike the onramp mendicants, they truly are willing to work for food.

Compare these folks with the recipients of General Relief, who are verily coerced to work, and are provided the job, the equipment, bathrooms, and of course, the disdain of their fellow public workers. If you were going to hire a willing worker, whom would you choose?

JIM SCHNEIDERMAN

Palmdale Caption: Associated Press