Do East Street and High Street look alike on an address label? If not, how is it that a package addressed to my house on East Street gets delivered on High Street? And where in the world did another package containing lobster potpie get delivered or thrown? FedEx says it was delivered, we don’t have it.

At first I was angry, blaming the driver for FedEx who pulled this off. And according to Front Porch Forum posts, I’m not alone. How can so many packages go wrong?

But on reflecting, I remembered a student of mine who was driving for UPS while pursuing his degree telling me about the pressure he was under to deliver on time. He was expected to run, not walk, his progress during the day was electronically monitored, and if he met the quota, it was simply increased. And the news is constantly offering stories about workers at the warehouses being pushed until they suffer injuries and how the billionaires who run these companies refuse to address the problems while they rake in huge profits.

Then there’s the example of migrant roofers that local companies hire as contract workers to avoid paying benefits. Read the story in Seven Days about the company that is outcompeting its competition using this shady practice. They bunk them eight to a room with no smoke detectors and allow them to work on the roofs with no safety harnesses, and falls happen.

So, my focus shifts from the workers who are being exploited and make mistakes, to the system that allows the monied class to get away with their exploitation. Bernie has it right, the top 10% get rich on the backs of the working class. And now we await an incoming administration that is going to compound the problem if we let them.

We are fortunate in Vermont to have a congressional delegation who understands and who are working to rebalance the system by sponsoring legislation to support low income, middle class, and all marginalized people. We need to support Sanders, Welch and Balint, and let them know we appreciate what they are doing.

Finally, I hope that the raccoon who finds my package of lobster potpie has a really good Christmas.

Richard Butz

Bristol