Washing one’s dirty linen in public

In India, the dhobi or laundryman was the go-to guy who kept us immaculately dressed. Whites remained white and cotton clothes were starched so stiff that you could almost hear them creak as you moved.

This was especially true living in army residential areas where every element of one’s uniform had to be in perfect order. Seeing our fathers splendidly turned out day after day helped inculcate in us a sense of pride in how we dressed. And to help us in our turn-out was the laundryman who was often the most awaited man in the household. Every item of clothing and linen was entrusted to his care and they usually returned in immaculate condition, stains mysteriously vanished, creases dealt with a firm hand and the art of folding as intricate as origami.

Their prices were reasonable and they came home every day sometimes, or at least twice or thrice a week. So, one could toss clothes around with gay abandon and know that there was someone who would put things right.

Then something strange happened. All of a sudden, these laundry dryer workers started becoming difficult to find. The reason was simple. Their children didn’t want to follow in their parents’ footsteps. And the few who did stick to the business did so reluctantly for want of opportunity. This showed in their work. The clothes that we received were no longer works of art. They were limp apologies and, although the dhobi swore that he had starched the cotton sari or the uniform, you knew that you were fighting a losing battle. Suddenly, more and more items of clothing went missing as the service deteriorated.

I’ve devoted a significant portion of my life to my family’s dry-cleaning business, so it pleased me to see the underdogs from less politically flashy industries get credit on the editorial page. “Here’s to the Dry Cleaner” (Editorial, May 30) hit Tax-Free NY right on the head.

With Tax-Free NY, Gov. Cuomo establishes in-state tax shelters for his preferred businesses to set up shop at state and private colleges across New York. The problem with this plan is that mom-and-pop stores don’t have lobbyists in thousand-dollar suits pitching ideas to the governor. We do have grit, determination and a desire to live the American dream.

Instead of creating a two-tier business society where those who can afford lobbyists swoop in and take advantage of our laws, why not help the people who really need it? The answer isn’t in focus-group-tested names, ribbon-cutting ceremonies and campaign donations. The answer is simple: Embrace free-market ideology in its entirety and give everyone with a dream a shot to succeed. Let’s make the American dream a reality for everyone.