Amherst resident churns out fifth book
SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW
by TERRI MEDINA

Robert Swiatek

Are you frustrated because you're the low man on the totem pole even though you've been working your whole life? Do you get angry because the harder you work the more you're beaten down? Are you tired of working 65-hour work weeks and getting paid for only 40?

Amherst resident Robert Swiatek, author of "This Page Intentionally Left Blank - Just Like the Paychecks of the Workers" (Aventine Press, 2007) has been arguing such injustices for most of his adult life.

"Left Blank," which was a 2007 Indie Excellence book award finalist, is no exception. It reads:

"Not long ago the minimum wage was increased somewhat from $5.15 an hour. Unfortunately, it still is not where it should be - $15 an hour, and not 10 cents a year for the next 100! While we're at it, how about new legislation for a 30-hour work week? The senate approved the ideas in 1933, but Franklin D. Roosevelt didn't feel it was a good idea. Shame on him!"

Swiatek, who grew up in Buffalo during the 1950s and '60s remembers all too well the host of professions he has pursued in his lifetime, including farmhand, grocery store clerk, shopping cart wrangler, teacher, information technology specialist and, finally, consultant, from which he retired in 2001.

Having been a member of the working class his whole life, Swiatek experienced the struggle of the working man, and the social and economic injustices that take place every day, forcing a gap between people who work hard and those at the top who reap the reward.

"Left Blank" is a witty and cleverly written instructional manual for people who have been blindsided by such injustices. He entices people to become proactive in their lives and take aim at those who have taken the better part of their lives, including their time, energy and paychecks. He encourages his readers to stop watching television and pick up a book.

"The best way to make a difference is to arm yourself with knowledge," he said. "The best way to arm yourself with knowledge is to read."

While his writing is humorous in many places, other times Swiatek is very poignant and sharp-tongued, telling his readers about all the things he hates and how the world would be a better place if all the stupid people were eradicated.

"Thus, the title of the book," Swiatek said.

Readers may be familiar with the term, "This page intentionally left blank," as it is often used in manuals and other instructional books and documents.

"It's stupid to have that phrase written on a page," he continued. "It's stupid that someone got paid to put that on a page. There's no common sense. Not only is it a useless page, but it's illogical, because the page is no longer blank if you write, 'This page intentionally left blank' on it. This is the kind of stupidity happening every day across the country."

While Swiatek's humor is biting at times, he is anything but curmudgeonly.

"He is an advocate for humanity as well as an environmentalist, and though he is retired from teaching, he said he remains a teacher in everything he writes that is read by others.

"I want people to know about these things," he said. "These social and economic injustices affect everyone. It's not something that is just going to go away. The rich will continue to get rich on the backs of the rest of us, and we will continue to work more hours in a week than is humanly possible."

When not writing (which is usually never) Swiatek is thinking about clever book titles and sequels to his already written work.

"I'm always brainstorming, always thinking about what's next, what's happening, what's stupid, clever and what is just wrong," he said.

In the past, Swiatek has covered everything from useless government spending, overworked and underpaid Americans, deception, technology, the environment and even cooking.

Many of those same topics and ideas are revisited in "Left Blank," and as long as they remain prevalent in today's world, Swiatek will surely be fixated on them.

His books are available at the Bookworm in East Aurora, the Canisius College bookstore, Talking Leaves Books and Rustbelt Books in Buffalo, and Borders Express in the Eastern Hills Mall in Williamsville. All books can also be ordered online at Barnes & Noble, Borders and Amazon. For more information about Swiatek or his books, visit www.bobcooks.com.

(Story ideas for this feature can be sent to Amherst Bee Associate Editor Jessica L. Finch, Bee Publications, PO Box 150, Buffalo, NY 14231-0150 or by calling 204-4917)