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“Hidden America” author Jeanne Marie Laskas on the many workers across America that keep the country running but often go unnoticed.
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Are part of what my next guest calls they -- in America people we've seldom noticed.
But who do the jobs that the make our lives global livable and we'll make this nation work joining me now is GQ correspondent Jean -- -- currency is the author of the new book.
In America from coal miners to cowboys and extraordinary exploration of the and seeing people who make this country work.
She -- it is great to have you with us congratulations a terrific book and I and I love the fact that you.
You focus on the people who issues suggests and with the title.
We don't think enough about who we don't.
Respect and now who we don't.
Express enough gratitude for.
What -- you start on this.
Well you know the -- that were really -- connected from a lot of the people who were even talking about in this.
Political campaign right now on the selection thing.
Easy to people who we have very abstract conversations about -- we talk about what they want.
But they are asking for who they are we don't actually know them as any of them as individuals and few years ago I was in a coal mine and meeting some of these -- and got interest in.
You know the fact that they're all these people who I'm dependent on my daily life you know for all the lights -- everything.
Every time -- flip on the light switch -- burn -- who are these people.
And this is taking on journey as you -- cowboys.
Migrant workers you name it you you've been there it seems.
What is what is -- you want to reader.
To to take away from your -- Because it is it's always -- You make a language stance -- such horrific or -- terrific read about.
There's something gnawing at your fraud here that you -- to communicate to folks what it what is that one thing that -- can be summed up.
Well I I don't I think that.
Stories take on -- around of course generators going to attached to any character differently however I will say for me.
On this journey through America and -- -- this way.
It's really challenge sort of my -- spoiled brat you know.
-- -- We walk around as if these are our rights you know slight that are trash shall simply disappear -- these things just happen and they don't happen right.
You know there's something that -- you you know we've been treated wrong or something.
And we forget I don't yes we're entitled and we forget that these are privileges.
And -- privilege is built on the backs of millions and millions of hardworking Americans and that's what I'm trying to -- connect to -- and -- And I liked the way you looked -- the cowboy and an end and I -- -- sort of the one for senators that didn't want to be Hollywood celebrities.
And they were quite content to be who they were doing what they -- I thought that was created missiles were brief statement about if you will the code of the west the vote of America -- for much of our existence of these.
Sure and I don't think it's just the -- of the last I think we have this narrative that.
Everybody in America wants to be rich and famous you know that we -- want to be known and has an awful lot of people to an awful lot of jobs that that but they don't wanna be noticed at all.
You know air traffic controllers.
-- we don't they don't want you to hear about them because I mean they messed up you know.
Their their -- and Angel looked -- towers.
And.
There are also people who really don't want to be is just said as you've said.
One -- -- 1% but.
-- also sure going to be part of that whatever that percent is.
Who.
Lives on the entitlements who don't work who don't want to contribute who don't want to find their full potential.
And realize the opportunity to live a life.
That is theirs is an American -- vacancies.
And they have there and that independence that self reliance.
Now you don't hear those words -- But you know what I found that over and over again I don't know who these people are who we think want to live.
You know a life of entitlements and and and government hand out into the don't know who they are certainly not the people I spent the last.
Five years where things are hard -- us like Americans work.
Hard they want to -- -- It's not as if this is.
-- -- some abstract notion for them people people like their jobs you know they.
It's like doing these things they like were yeah -- you don't want to be dependent upon them.
I I think that they they wanted to see if we could get that far I can't I want.
They want to be taking care of it is hospital when they go there they want to have make sure that.
You know they have enough money to pay the medical bills certain however that will -- room.
They -- -- make a living wage and that's or you know I think -- is something that everyone should have.
That's an entire.
There should be an opportunity.
To make a good living in this country.
And that's something we've -- -- via the SOB's take away.
And that's something we.
If there.
Into this number but it will be not just and it really depends on being -- -- these are I think that's the definition -- person you gotta do is identify the SOB you can get a long ways toward -- about imaginary.
We have done one thing for sure.
We've identified -- true rip it right here.
And a wonderful book that we recommend to you.
The in America Jean Marie Alaska's.
By the way and go to her web site to achieve -- revised -- dot com you can also pick it up -- your bookstore Amazon.com in the number of places.
You know.
That I mentioned Lou Dobbs our country -- and click directly.
It is great to see all the best congratulations on the book.
