Letters: Extraordinary ordinary people make the world work

They are anything but ordinary. They can fix anything. They will come to our aid day or night, rain or snow. They deliver packages, keep the electric lines powered up and clear the downed trees and debris after a storm.

Called by their first name, which is often embroidered on their uniform, these are the men and women who keep South Carolina running. They are proud of their work, respect the law and sometimes fight our wars for us.

They take nothing they haven’t earned and show up for work every day. Their pictures aren’t in the newspaper or the post office. They work hard for their living and expect others to do likewise.

Also among us are that minority who game the system, on Wall Street, in the government and, yes, sometimes on welfare rolls.

But our extraordinary people have the right to know that we won’t continue to tolerate gaming any system — political, banking or welfare. They have the right to expect transparency and integrity.

The next time you turn the tap on and water comes out, pick up the phone and get a dial tone, get your garbage picked up and mail delivered, be grateful to the extraordinary ordinary people who make these things happen. They earned it.

This story was originally published July 30, 2015 at 7:43 PM.