Henry A. Goessmann's June 9, 2006 letter, "Frustrated with TOB's Response to Illegal Housing" in which he describes illegal housing as a "growing malignancy that is destroying our quality of life."

Mr. Goessmann's heart is in the right place but this is no longer the Eisenhower years when a 25-year-old with a high school diploma (or less) could buy a house in the suburbs. Since 1980, jobs that used to provide a family wage have been downsized or outsourced overseas. Immigration is pulling wages down as immigrants today (unlike previous generations of immigrants) enter an America that's no longer an expanding industrial society with a vast western frontier and open farm country around the big cities. And education is no longer the key to a more prosperous life as it was in the 1950s, 60s and 70s when most of our educrats came of age: I know more than my share of people with college degrees working as sales clerks, cashiers, and security guards at the mall. And stagnant incomes are being eroded by taxes.

We, people over 40 who grew up with the American Dream of suburbia here on Long Island would rather stick our heads in the sand than admit it, but the fact is, America is no longer a middle class society. Unlike such countries as China, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, and Ireland whose leaders have embraced economic and educational policies that have led to a significant increase in living standard, America's leaders (both Democrat and Republican) have embraced opposite policies. We should not penalize ordinary working people in the community for policies conjured in smoke-

filled rooms that have made lawyers, bureaucrats, lobbyists, politicians and CEO's wealthier whilst making working families poorer. Kicking people out of illegal apartments does this.

Mr. Goessmann, the impact of illegal housing in the community is problematic, indeed. I agree with you there, but I don't think adding mass homelessness, potentially violent social unrest, and the additional fragmentation of families will enhance the quality of life in our community.

Paul Manton