Danielle Levy

The price of gold is at a premium, at least on the stock exchanges of the world. Those who buy and sell it, those who own it feel very pleased. But there is a real price to gold, one we all share. Mining this metal causes significant loss of land, contaminates ground water supplies and also leaves behind toxic waste that pollutes oceans. Chemicals, particularly cyanide, which are used to separate gold from the earth it is embedded in are responsible for a lot of environmental problems. Mining companies operating in countries like the United States are a bit more careful. There is however a double standard and in Africa, Latin America and Asia, the problems are far worse, often displacing people and leading to the release of harmful substances like sulfuric acid and to much environmental waste. Experts see the need for uniform standards and for laws to protect the rights of local residents along with the environment. Until then we ought to remember that given current practices to extract enough gold for a wedding ring can generate 20 tons of waste.

The recent West Virginia mine tragedy is a reminder of how much we owe countless people who risk their lives for our benefit. The agents who infiltrated the religious militia are another example. Of course without those who engage in human intelligence our lives would be far more precarious and uncertain. We tend to glorify spies and they often are quite well compensated for their efforts, but miners are just plain ordinary hard working folks who risk their lives for comparatively small salaries. The fruit of their labor is not heralded. We don’t much give thought to coal and other ores mined out from within the Earth, don’t acknowledge our need and where we would be without them. Even with the mining precious metals and gems we might make a fuss when a movie on the subject comes out or talk about blood diamonds at Christmas time, and then our attention recedes and our list of priorities shifts. But for those brave people who work the mines in West Virginia and elsewhere the dangers persist. To them in particular we ought to give our admiration and our thanks.

We all encounter death and many of us interface with hospitals, hospices or others who handle end of life matters. Here we are in the throes of loosing someone we love and faced with a system that makes one question whether it is more profit than people friendly. My sister is now on hospice. It is not the first time I deal with such an organization, or would it be more accurate to say business. There was the hospice which was there when my father died and the dealings I have had with the hospice of friends’ parents. Each time I’ve been so aware of confronting a well oiled machinery. They come very quickly and set things in place very fast. And if one has ever seen the bills Medicare pays for these services, one is astounded, for they easily are several thousands dollars a month. Some of the services are needed, some less so. A cardiologist was ordered for my father when none was called for, a dietician was called in for my sister when to me his services were not necessary. And along with the grief of losing someone and the heartache of making sure they have everything they need that their passing will be as painless and fearless as possible, there is the realization that hospice services are now an industry, money making businesses throughout the country. I may be sad because of my impending loss, but I’m still aware of greater issues, that there are those still concerned about the role of government in healthcare. I, for one, am concerned about private concerns placing profits first and driving up costs for everyone. And to think that what I am witnessing is a very small piece of a large pie scares me.