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Originally Posted by Peterw  I think all these people judging "the rich" should do a bit of research on who they're judging and why they've got so much animosity toward them.
Where one person sees a rich person and feels anger, jelousy, resentment and a feeling of injustice another person might see achievement, and feel awe and respect for someone who's made it and is now in total control of their lives and making a difference.
Anyone who makes a great fortune and does good things with it is a role model to me - as long as they made their money legally and without exploiting anyone else.
Trading has winners and losers but that's part of the game, that's business, that's life. Even Joe widget maker is in competition with John widget maker. If Joe goes out and does a bit of marketing that takes a customer that would have gone to John - he's taking food off John's table isn't he?
Quick get the pitch forks - we got ourselves a lynchin'! |
I see your point, PW, and I agree. I grew up in a house full of Democrats who very much resented the more affluent. As I got older, I realized that my own resentments originated and were very much driven by that energy during my childhood, and I'm learning and understanding more, now, how even the more affluent can have their good qualities.
But, then, so does Joe Sixpack, who grinds it out on the production line for forty hours a week, and who now has to take on a second job, just to feed, clothe, and house himself and his family.
I don't feel the same "awe and respect" for either of them, frankly, because each has their own inherent faults. Affluence and ambition can lead to greed, while swearing by the working-class lifestyle can lead to resentments and class warfare sentiment. But, ultimately, we're all doing the best we can with what we've got to work with.