Mariko Yamada, Democrat for State Assembly

A few candidates are talking about the increasing chasm between the rich and the poor in our society. I spoke to this issue when I made my announcement for the Assembly on February 28, 2007.

Barbara Ehrenreich is a journalist and author of several books, including “Nickel and Dimed”, an account of her going “undercover” as a minimum-wage worker—Wal Mart Greeter, IHOP waitress, and hotel maid. Here’s a link to her interview on Bill Moyer’s Journal, a favorite of my campaign manager, Brian Micek:

www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/08032007/profile.html

I wonder how many of us would be able to survive working like Barbara did, or like my friend, Juana, whom I see at the County building late at night when we are both working our respective jobs. But Juana is coming from her second job, as a maid at a local hotel. We converse briefly in Spanish, mine not so good because I have not studied it since high school. But since Juana works at least 60 hours a week, she does not have time to learn English. I marvel at her cheerful outlook and admire her hard work.