Carl Proper

I have spent significant parts of my life in Wyoming (Yellowstone), Philadelphia, New Hampshire, Panama and greater Boston, New York and Washington. My middle class parents spent every penny to send my four siblings and me to top eastern prep schools and colleges. On my own, I have lived in low-rent neighborhoods (gracias a mis compañeros de Panamá Viejo), and more privileged places. I’ve enjoyed a wonderful home life with my wife and two children, and an inspiring work life in the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union and its successors. Following this extraordinary good fortune, I now I collect a union pension and Social Security. I have the time to ask how all that I have seen fits together, ought to fit better, and what the future may hold for coming generations. My first conclusion: the most important “choice” we make is choosing our parents – and, of course, that is entirely a matter of fortune. Still, if we are wise and generous, circumstances today could provide a good life for nearly all.

For the rest, while I may write to clarify my own thoughts, I hope a few other people will find what I have to say worth thinking about or arguing with.