Most of us wouldn’t know it by walking down the street though. American wealth, to most of us, is almost like an illusion.

Well, I see it walking the streets of my neighborhood.

There are many kinds of wealth, levels, or qualities.

I live in a blue collar neighborhood. I see nice but modest houses each with a single family and often just one generation each. I see boats on trailers and recreation vehicles. Those violate the unenforced neighborhood rules but the homeowners association is out of touch with its non-participating members. The HOA has no money for enforcement, they can’t even enforce dues collection.

My neighbors are wealthy in a modest way. They can pay their bills, save for retirement send their kids to school, go fishing or camping. Take modest vacations. We are a mix race neighborhood with good schools so our kids do not live in a tight bubble.

If you walk our streets and don’t see the wealth of comfort and community you are blind.

The lead in picture for your article show a beggar. Our beggars don’t sleep on the street. We have them, the beg on corners around the I-10 Exit with the truck stop. Some of them might be homeless but they have a place to stay as they are bathed and they wear clean rags. We must be taking good care of them.

TEK