Melvin Koleber
Sep 7, 2018 · 1 min read

Oriana,

Your piece makes me want to respond, but I am not sure how, exactly. I have seen the same conditions you describe throughout the middle of the country (I live in OK, travel a lot in East TX, AR, MO), and I wonder why the decay as you describe is allowed to take hold, perpetuate, accelerate. On balance, though, I also see towns and small cities that are proud of their local heritage, schools, and people. Investments are being made (financial, spiritual, social), and not just by the wealthy.

As I read, I waited with anticipation for your other shoe to drop (the sunny, positive, redeeming one), and it never did. People just want to feel useful, and if for whatever reason they don’t, the complaining and rage and blaming others seem like the easiest alternative. A challenge to you…….research and write about how we can do something about it.

    Melvin Koleber

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