Progress is a tool used by the wealthy, the greedy | Letter
Maine Resident Calls for Greater Responsibility Amid Wealth Disparities
Gorham, Maine – In a recent letter to the editor of the Press Herald, Tom Conger, a longtime Gorham resident, voiced a growing concern about the growing gulf between the rich and ordinary citizens. Conger’s remarks, published in the paper’s “letter to the editor” section, underscore a belief that wealth should come with an ethical obligation that many, he argues, are currently lacking.
Conger opened his letter with the familiar adage, “With wealth comes responsibility, with great wealth comes great responsibility.” He then highlighted how the excesses of a select few—“fifty‑million‑dollar weddings are status symbols, the largest yachts bestow stratospheric status on the owner and spending hundreds of millions of dollars to elect a politician is a disease found only in the super‑rich”—can eclipse the everyday struggles of ordinary Americans. The letter notes that these displays of wealth often come “under the guise of progress” and can lead to environmental degradation and social inequality.
The writer further contrasted these practices with the teachings of major religions, which “proclaim peace, love and the community of all humans as the cornerstones of their thesis.” Conger laments that “we find ourselves living in a very messy world with no clear path forward,” while ordinary people “are left to struggle just to stay even.” He adds that he is “an old man who will fade away in the near future” and that, while hopeful for his grandsons’ future, “today the forces of the hateful, greedy and the powerful are creating the storm clouds leading to disaster.”
While the letter is an opinion piece, it reflects a broader conversation in Maine and across the country about wealth concentration, political influence, and environmental stewardship. Conger’s call for accountability echoes the growing demand among residents for transparent and equitable economic practices.
The Press Herald continues to provide a platform for community voices, and the letter from Gorham’s Tom Conger is one of many that highlights the ongoing dialogue about how prosperity should be shared and managed responsibly.
