You know, I happen to be re-reading "The Grapes of Wrath" again just now; the part where the Joads start picking for 5 cents a box, but as soon as the protesters are beaten away, and branded as "reds" the price drops to 2 1/2 cents a box, and the kids starve. The only alternative I see is to not give anyone the power to dictate what you are worth. If you charge more than someone is willing to pay, then fine. You don't have to live in Alaska to refuse to give up power.

David Grauman MD
Department of Medicine
Commonwealth Health Center
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands