In a message dated 96-11-25 14:48:48 EST, John Handley writes: > > Dear Robin Panza: > > I am sorry to belabor my point, but please hear me on this > important issue: When I write about the importance of better > salaries and benefits in the museum field, I am *not* stating that > we (the professionals) should push to get rich. Getting rich has > never been the point of this discussion regarding salaries and > benefits in the field. > > Once again I ask: Why do we as professionals see such things as > medical coverage as an added benefit? What other profession > out there does this philosophy transfer to? Teachers? Plumbers? > Accountants? Why are so many museum professionals > unwilling to say that they are worth a good salary and > benefits? > > John Handley > San Francisco > > Three cheers for you John! My sentiments exactly! Since I was eight years old, I have wanted to be an archaeologist. I went into the field of archaeology because I love archaeology, not because I thought I would ever get rich. I don't want to be rich, just be able to pay mortgage and contribute to my 401K. It seems that we are ever underpaid and undervalued. I've even been so underpaid that I have done archaeology for free just to do what I love.