I'll never forget what my dad told me. I asked him about doing volunteer work for something or other, and he replied, "If they're not going to pay you, then someone considers that it's not worth getting paid for."

I'm not saying I agree with him, but it has given me food for thought over the years.

Whenever someone promotes getting out in the world and volunteering, they're telling you to go do something that society thinks it's not worth getting paid for. You have to be able to afford not getting paid.

When I heard how little NYC firefighters were paid, I thought it a crime. It's a dreadfully important job and should be compensated accordingly. It is not.

Some CEOs make horrible decisions that cost ordinary people their life savings. Then they get raises and bonuses.

It sure is one cockeyed world.