Has greed become a virtue?

[Jmayer20]

I see the rich bankers causing this recession through there greed. I see them hording there money like misers not letting the money circulate, not letting the economy grow. They bribe the government and try to control the country. These same people seem to be looked up to by every one. People view them as good job craters. Its almost become a taboo to call them rich people, now we have to call them job creators. Even if they made us lose more jobs then again.

I see people willing to let millions die just so they can have a few extra bucks in there pocket. I remember a man who worked hard all his life then he got hurt and people were saying "he should die so he stops leaching off of the rest of society.

What has happened to our country? Has greed become a virtue? Has every one forgotten the movie "A Christmas Carol". My fear is the we are going back to that. Back when the rich or as you like to call them job creators have full control.

[Camarohusky]

Being wealthy is NOT a problem. It is not, and never has been an automatically bad thing. I know quite a few people who are in the upper rungs (not the super upper, but definitely to 1-2%ers) and for the most part, they're very nice people who truly want to help the world around them.

There are some problems that seem to exist among a few vocal wealthy elites. There are most definitely some wealthy folks who are willing to break another's back if it means making an extra buck. There is a huge lack of perspective among the lifelong privileged about how the real world actually works. Finally, there is a sense of entitlement that many wealthy people seem to have.

The lifelong privileged do not know how the average person lives their lives. Because they have spent their entire existence with a massive amount of money and resources, they have no understanding at all of what it is like for the majority of Americans who either routinely have no resources, or have to budget their resources in order to ensure the basics are covered. This is largely why you see so many wealthy people complaining about the poor "not pitching in" because to those wealthy, they believe everyone is just floating in cash like they are, and that giving up $1000 a year won't cause some people to lose their home, job, food, or more.

Another sad occurence among some wealthy is a sense of entitlement. They believe that because they are wealthy, they deserve power and influence, as if it were their birthright. They believe that their money places them above the masses, as if the masses were a different species, only suited for menial thought.

While these three things are bad, criticizing the entire wealthy class is equally bad. The bad qualities only exist in a small few of the wealthy. Those few just have enough resources to make it look like they're bigger than they are. Most wealthy people are just honest people doing honest work, no different than the bus driver or plumber. Whether through grace of talent, knowledge, luck, or birth they came into money does not automatically turn them into bad people. Sadly, the thought that all rich are evil has galvanized many of the good rich to side with those who actually are bad just in order to defend their dignity and honor against what are otherwise baseless attacks on them.

I do agree with a general point, the we as a society have lost sight of what is truly important: the community.

[Jmayer20]

To Camarohusky

I believe that there has been a misunderstanding. I did not mean to imply that ALL rich people are bad. I know there are good rich people out there. I was more referring to the banker who started this recession and how when they did something wrong alot of people rather then viewing what the did was bad viewed it more like "those people are good job creators. I think you made some very interesting points.

On another note what do you think of the movie "A Christmas Carol"?

[Iron-Hampster]

no but selfishness is.

but seriously, the problem I have with people is when their greed drives them to manipulate the government into giving them privileges at the expense of other people.

otherwise, both need and greed are driving our economy in positive ways, except when the above happens.

[X-Gary-Gigax-X]

At 8/14/12 05:20 PM, Jmayer20 wrote: To Camarohusky

Doesn't that sound like every progressive who ever lived? 'We need the rich, the wealthy aren't bad people......BUT......' There's always that stubborn caveat. The trick is to just play along. After all, the devil is always in the details.

This reminds me of Teddy Roosevelt, the first progressive president, "I do not begrudge a rich man his fortune if it is fairly earned... and well spent"

Sure. That's not unreasonable. But who decides what is fairly earned and well spent? Typically, people like Camarohusky and Teddy see government bureaucrat as the only salvation, and as the only true arbiter of "fairness".

[Poniiboi]

At 8/14/12 03:18 PM, Camarohusky wrote: Being wealthy is NOT a problem.

But then you bash it for everything that wealth brings.

You say that in the ideal, or "in and of itself," wealth isn't a problem. Then you say in practice, most people misuse wealth and cannot relate to other people. So it seems like you've been fed a line...the same line that says "hate the war, but support the troops" and other paradoxical slogans designed to drive your brain into circular inaction.

Being wealthy corrupts, I DON'T support the damn troops, and I think everyone needs to start thinking for themselves. Scratch that. Just start thinking like SJD (me) and we'll all be better.

[DoctorStrongbad]

A great man once said, " Greed is good. " I agree with him.

[morefngdbs]

At 8/22/12 03:17 AM, DoctorStrongbad wrote: An imbecilic moron of a man once said, " Greed is good. " I agree with him.

THere fixed !
& look at what that makes you !

http://www.24hgold.com/english/news-gold-silver-the-fiasco-o f-fiat-money.aspx?article=3942028908G10020&redirect=false&co ntributor=Thorsten+Polleit

Theabove link explians the whole problem in a nut shell & greed with ultimately a way for a few elite to legally pick the pockets of everyone & I mean everyone else !
It has been recognised & was even spoken of by Jefferson when crafting the Constitution....yet your government officials allowed you to be robbed (so they could get a cut) & it continues to this day !

[Jmayer20]

At 8/22/12 03:17 AM, DoctorStrongbad wrote: A great man once said, " Greed is good. " I agree with him.

Oh and was this man Mr Scrooge before he meet the ghosts. If you really believe in what you said then you must also think the story a Christmas Carol is a sad story. One were a great "job creator" went crazy and was tricked by the commie ghosts.