The diametrically opposed state of affairs in such a wealthy country has the hungry, homeless, lonely and sparsely clothed struggling daily.

The $160 million, eight-year contract of Manny Ramirez reminds me of the lyrics to an Emerson, Lake and Palmer song – “Ooh what a lucky man he was.”

And for the poor of our nation, “Nobody knows you when you’re down and out.”

Who really strikes out in the end?

Barbara Jean Kern, Auburn