Okay, so The Bachelorette is not a TV show most people would think I watch. I’m a 50-year old bald guy who has zero tolerance for crappy drama on reality television. But I will watch the show. At least this once, tonight.
Why? Because the people of Hawaii deserve that. This economic crisis has put a stop to travel and tourism. It has been especially difficult on the men and women who work in hospitality — those folks who get a high percentage of their income from tips. The bellhops, the waitresses, the smiling people at the front desk, the people who clean your messy room so you can enjoy the beach….those people have been hit hard. They do not make much money to begin with (certainly not as much as the other groups who have been hit hard, like bankers and auto assemblers). The downturn has meant lower wages for people who started with low wages.
Tonight, The Bachelorette features Jillian Harris jumping around the Hawaiian Islands seeking her true love. It’s probably going to be a silly show that grates on my nerves. But if it makes a few people think, “Hey, I should go to Hawaii for vacation,” then I’m all for it. God bless Jillian.
Now I admit to having a vested interest in Hawaii (Hana specifically). Still, I feel for the folks who are losing their jobs or getting by on fewer dollars during this downturn. They are the ones who are hurting the most yet have done the least to deserve this. Aloha, my friends. Hang in there.