Elimination -- a lack of education

By ANDY HEFTY

VALDOSTA, GA - Those are the words spoken by the late Pearl Bailey in the movie The Fox and the Hound. But even today, those words ring true. Let me explain.

While putting gas into the family minivan, I spoke kindly to the men who were emptying the trash receptacles. Imagine the conversation:

Don't Get Me Started

Me: How we doing?

Man 1: All right, how about you?

Me: Well, another day, another nickel. [another of my standard greetings]

Man 1: That’s about it, too, isn’t it? [as he’s driving away] I’m going back to school.

Me to Man 2: You got to respect that.

Man 2: [in a hopeful tone] Yeah, I do.

Please understand that collecting garbage is just as honorable as any other job. In fact, many people can do without a computer geek for a few weeks. But imagine letting the men and women who put the bags of refuse into their trucks for transport to the landfill have a month off. This is not a pretty sight.

With all that in mind however, cleaning up a gas station should not necessarily be the final destination in one’s career path. It should be either a stopgap for making a little extra money or a starter job for a young person seeking opportunity. These men appear to recognize this.

And that, my friends, is very encouraging.

Two young men, recognizing that they can’t continue their lives without improving their bank accounts, are using their own mind and willpower to improve their lot in life. And they are doing what they can (get this, now) without the help of government. They want to increase their education, thereby adding to the potential of their opportunities.

Obviously, these men have enough pride to do for themselves what others expect "someone else" to do. So let’s review some consequences of what will take place should these young men follow through:

Young men are managing their spare time, which means they won’t waste it in crime, drugs, booze, and debauchery.

"Simple garbage collectors" are stepping out of their comfortable surroundings and taking risks.

Their enthusiasm, diligence, and attention to detail in a routine task display the ability to be trusted beyond ordinary employment. They can be trusted with more.

I may never meet them again. But I have great confidence that if I ever see them at a gas station, they’ll likely be filling up a luxury SUV instead of gathering garbage and cleaning toilets.