In Praise of the Anonymous Achievers

By Marty Nemko

Who gets the attention? Performers and athletes. My hero? The anonymous achievers: smart genomicists searching for mental retardation genes, restaurant owners buying fresh produce at 4 AM and working into the night, Social Security eligibility workers ensuring that clients get help while protecting taxpayer dollars. It saddens me that these societal bulwarks, thanks to a 40-60% marginal tax rate, often can't afford to buy even a modest home in a safe neighborhood, even with a second income. Meanwhile, we bestow admiration and fortunes upon athletes and performers. We should honor the anonymous achievers, without whom our lives would be decimated.