As you all know, there was a devastating landslide this week, here in Laguna Beach. I have seen best and worst come out in people over this.
What bothers me most is the worst that I have seen. A fund was set up to help the those who lost everything they own. Apparently, thoughts from here and there are that these people do not deserve financial help. Mostly, because it is perceived that everybody in Laguna Beach is wealthy. Or because they bought a home on a hill that they thought was safe. It is simply untrue that all here are wealthy.
Many of the victims purchased their homes 30 years ago and more. Others are people who worked hard to live in their dream homes. Of course, many are rich, and some may have earned money easily. Through various endeavors, or inheritances. Who knows, who cares? Should we not have empathy for the "rich" people who lost their homes, filled with memories and cherished items?
I have heard comments about people being astonished that a fund was established to help the victims of the landslide. "Oh, help the multi-millionaires get their mansions back, yeah right." Most homes are not mansions. Most of the homes lost were modest in size, but big in value, do to a real estate boom. Old folks who have retired and have lived a lifetime in their homes. Raised their families and call Laguna Beach home. Should these people have cashed out and moved somewhere else? In hindsight, perhaps yes. Because now they have nothing and will never be able to afford to rebuild due to property values and high construction costs. They may never again be able to live in their beloved town.
The fund was not designed to help the rich stay rich. It was established for those who truly need it. And so many do.
The best of what I have seen is so typical of Laguna and why we love it here. Offers from those who have space to house the victims have come forward in droves. Clothes and other necessities have been offered by neighbors and strangers alike. Stores are offering free clothing, restaurants are offering free meals to families affected by the landslide. Hotels have waived their huge room fees and given shelter. There is a huge fund raiser this morning. It is a pancake breakfast and all over town people are cooking items to take to the park. Anybody can go. Donations of $10 are being asked for, from those who can afford to pay.
I know there will always be people worse off than some of the victims. But, for those who truly lost everything, their homes, their land, normalcy of life, their financial security.....These are the people my heart aches for.
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2 comments:
people are incredibly judgemental sometimes, arent they? it's sad. and it is silly to generalize and assume that those folks don't need help. small-minded even. i think people assume that all californians are wealthy, when in reality there was a time when we were just another state, real estate-wise. the inflated costs began as more and more migrated here, and paid whatever it cost to live here. as a middle-aged 4th generation californian, i have watched it all change in my lifetime. but there really was a time when "regular" folks could live here comfortably, i remember. and now the MEDIAN cost of a home in northern california is a little over half a million dollars.
Nancy, I agree with you. Even if some of these folks are millionaires, it is a terrible trauma to lose your home, all your possessions, memories, etc.
And, as you point out, owning a million dolllar house doesn't make you a millionaire, especially when that house has lost 100% of its value (and you still have a mortgage to pay!) We had this problem after 9/11. If you were an executive at Cantor Fitzgerald, you were likely wealthy. Does that mean your family isn't entitled to compensation following an awful tragedy?
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