The story touched me as well. After strokes and a heart attack, he approached the
Clark County Commission asking if there was a way he could save his home
from foreclosure due to back taxes.
The commission told him not to worry they would not sell the house until next April during auction.
His plea touched an attorney at the hearing who offered to pay his penalties if he could come up with the back taxes.
People responded to the story. Little people. People without much to start with.
I understand this reaction-having been in the situation myself.
Circumstances are not always black and white. But the suffering is a commonality. I think it is the reason "little people" responded with such compassion.
When I say little people I don't mean it as an insult. Little people are those caring humans who hand a dollar to the dirty, disheveled guy dressed in the army fatigue jacket in the middle of the summer, outside Smith's. They don't have much themselves. Usually enough to get by.
"Little people" don't judge. They understand bad times and struggles. It doesn't really matter if the guy buys a bottle. They don't ask and hope he gets a bite to eat.
Las Vegas has some big bucks citizens. I didn't read about any stepping up to pay the $8,000 in back taxes for Mr. Ramirez. Maybe one of them did quietly and generously.
Las Vegas is not known for its generosity-the Las Vegas Sun also had this to say about the way Nevada gives-
"Research studies bear this out: In 2008 Las Vegas ranked in the bottom three among major metropolitan cities in the United States for volunteerism. In 2004, during a period when Vegas was the ultimate boom town and money was being made here hand over fist, the Council on Foundations ranked Nevada 25Th nationally in terms of total giving."
It is said that charity starts at home. With job losses, the closing of businesses and home foreclosures, Las Vegans are hurting something big.
I am hoping Mr. Ramirez' story helps crack the "I don't give a damn" shell Vegans are using to survive these tough times.
