It’s corny, but every fall and spring I’m especially thankful for the citywide pickup of extra-size refuse. EARLIER this week I read an interview with Bill and Melinda Gates of Microsoft fame. —Susan Lynn
We hauled out guttering, an old grill, fencing, and indoor/outdoor carpeting that had failed the latter description. Astroturf would have been better.
The city’s service comes courtesy of our taxes. The money is well spent.
They have a $3.4 billion foundation, part of which is used to help underdeveloped countries. Two years ago the foundation issued a challenge to develop a self-sustaining toilet that doesn’t rely on a public’s sewer, water or electrical systems and that would cost less than pennies per person a day to use.
An estimated 2.6 billion of the world’s people still use a hole in the ground as a latrine. Besides the obvious, not having a public sanitation system results in the spread of diseases.
The science of developing such a toilet is way beyond my ken and remains a challenge to scientists as well. The Gateses remain committed to the effort.
Think of the difference flush toilets would make to the slums of the world, Bill Gates said.
The point is especially poignant when I think of the contrast. Here in Allen County we’re about to open a new hospital replete with state-of-the art technologies.
Within minutes, we’re able to receive care that rivals anywhere in the world.
And as a country, we’re (finally) making health care darn near a universal privilege through the Affordable Care Act.
I’ve been to countries whose governments are ineffective and corrupt to the point the majority of their people truly suffer. In Myanmar, Cambodia, and Haiti I’ve seen and smelled raw sewage coursing down the streets. In those countries, life expectancy remains in the low to mid 60s, whereas in the United States, we can expect to live into our upper 70s, ranking 51st among the world’s 223 countries.
The United States isn’t perfect by a long shot. We still have way too many people not knowing where tonight’s meal will come from.
That said, good governance makes all the difference, and democracy ranks right up there. I was going to put it as tops until I saw Monaco’s monarchy can crow about stellar rankings in health and education outcomes.
But then you have to put up with the shenanigans of a royal family who has more out-of-wedlock births than Hollywood.
So, thanks Iola, for the trash service. It’s what helps us keep on this side of civilized.
Citywide cleanup is a welcome perk
