Smoking & Class

Would one expect to see a cloud of smoke hanging over a gathering of doctors? Not very likely. How about a haze over an assembly of lawyers? Again, doubtful. What about finding pungent billows over a group of teachers? Unlikely. In contrast, how likely is smoking in a collection of cab drivers? That is not surprising. Assembly line workers? Restaurant employees? For smokers in these livelihoods it may even be the norm. Welcome to smoking …

…in this country the following question would have to be answered, "Why there is so little hope among the poor in American society?" When this issue has been confronted American's will meet the even larger one, "Are we willing to change our society to improve the life prospects of the poor?" Will hope and the pursuit of happiness be treated as inalienable rights or become one more luxury reserved for those who can purchase it?