Most of our society has become oblivious to the concept of need vs. want. Then there's the fact that the concept of a finished product faded from factory work years ago, not to mention entertainment is now considered to be a service, as well as a necessity.
When we began working for money, wealth was defined by material possessions and how we spend our free time, the concept of a product and service truly got lost. It is my fervent hope that the Other 1% actually increases in numbers. An actual product and service based economy would change the imbalance of our current situation. I don't see that happening, but that would do it. It's really very simple math.
A few, very few people have most of the money, because the majority prefers to pay and gripe. If people stopped going to movies and watching sports, the celebrities and athletes would not be millionaires, and the media moguls and team owners would not be The One Percent.
I would love to see more people live above the poverty line, but raising minimum wage isn't the answer. Far too many folks just can't see what raising the minimum wage will actually do in this country. First and foremost, always remember, if politicians are for it, it won't benefit the people. Over half of the representatives in Washington are in The One Percent. This aristocracy crosses party lines . . . If minimum wage is raised to $11.00 an hour, that means everything that is assembled or served by folks making minimum wage will go up. It also means, the rest of the work force will will either insist upon higher wages, or their buying power will be reduced by the increase to cover the increased minimum wage.
Selling hamburgers is not manufacturing and phone plans are not really providing a service. Manufacturing used to involve making something tangible that was either lasting or met a "needed" purpose. A genuine product and service economy doesn't actually require money. The money is for convenience and taxes. A product and service economy provides a way for everyone to have what they need that they can't actually make or do for themselves. The auto industry used to be a great example of this. So was pre-pharmaceutical health care and genuine retail sales, for that matter.
Basically, it's not about the money at all, but rather it's about priorities. Poor people can be greedy. Wealthy people can be conscientious. The only thing that will change this faltering economy, and truthfully, I think it's too late, is for people to stop working for money and start using their G-d given talents to make or trade what they need to live. I speak from experience, entertainment is not so necessary when you enjoy your life.
Showing posts with label greed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label greed. Show all posts
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Sunday, August 31, 2014
The Love of Money
I find myself sitting in a very strange situation in which I have a view from what seems like both ends of the continuum in regard to "the love of money," here in America. I'm not really trying to tell all the family business, but in the past week, I've gotten to hear about it from both extremes, and both extremes can agree on one thing. I'm doing it wrong! I'm really not speaking out of turn, as they both speak quite openly about their perspective when it comes to money. Another point to make, is both extreme perspectives were given by the ones who have married good providers. Both of these women have explained to me about money, while neither have ever had to support themselves for any length of time . . . Actually, my mother has never had to support herself and my daughter, only briefly.
I have no idea how much money my parents have, but they do own a significant amount of land and their home has been paid for for over a quarter of a century. Daddy has been pretty much able to name his own price, professionally, since he retired. He is skilled in an area that simply requires years of cumulative knowledge with experience and great leadership qualities, so even at 75 years old, he gets calls. As they used to say in the 50s and 60s, my parents are "comfortable." In the past year they announced they are getting their affairs in order and it seemed to take months and professionals, so I'm thinking they should be set to live out their golden years with as much security as is possible in these times.
On the other end of that spectrum is my daughter and her husband. He also makes fantastic money, but he and my daughter lavish themselves in "living for the moment." They don't own their own home, still making a car payment and last I heard both still have outstanding debt on student loans for degrees neither of them use. My daughter refers to it as a "rockstar lifestyle." She's voiced more than once, she's expecting an economic collapse and they'll simply take on a nomadic lifestyle. She's pushing 40 and he's just a few years younger than I am. So there are the two extremes and I'm somewhere not even in the middle.
In the event of collapse, I plan to be a place of refuge, but not for those who expect the collapse and refused to prepare. So this will not be a refuge for broke, unprepared, aged rockstar wanna-bees. Also, off this continuum, unlike my parents; I don't plan to retire. Unlike many boomers, I didn't invest in big retirement stock plans, but as it turns out, I'm not any worse off for that decision. I did invest, but not in Wall Street. I plan to be working, until the day I die. Some say I'm ridiculous and that's okay. Now, the point of this article goes beyond anyone's income or lifestyle, but rather, I get to hear the judgment and the justification of both extremes.
My mother, of course, views her materialism as "blessing." She listens to the religious prosperity guys and the conservative talk show hosts. She doesn't see it as the "love of money," it's American Christian Capitalism! She is quite vocal in her admonishment of the way my daughter handles money. In her estimation I did not give my daughter a proper value of money. "I know, right!" Once I voice my disdain for my daughter's values, she lightens up and then defends her. Since my goal is to drop the subject, that works! My mother's big concern is outliving their money. She told me she'd spend every dime if my dad's health needed. And well she should, he's the one that earned it!
On to my daughter's amazing observation. She refers to her grandparents' money management has hoarding. But then, she also refers to my business inventory as hoarding. She has a wonderful vocabulary but frequently misuses terms, for exaggerated effect. She believes in spending everything her husband earns, on themselves and immediately. I got to view their family vacation to Vegas this year, and watched a granddaughter skyjump off the stratosphere. My grandson said he had the choice of doing that or two rides because the jump cost over $100.00 My daughter calls her grandparents, greedy hoarders, while her lifestyle is superficial opulence and waste.
In this country we've gone completely extreme and both ends are "the love of money." When money is more important than people and fear overrides faith, it's a problem. I think in the case of Daddy, their net worth reflects the result of his hard work and good management. On the other hand saving in fear, amassing off of the hard work of others, or spending in frivolous waste, is all very self-focused and just different forms of greed. I don't share my parents view of the importance of money, but they are always generous with gifts for family, especially grandchildren. I have come to see, while the wealthy are blamed in this country and often falsely accused, "the love of money" is not always reflected in a big bank account. Sometimes small bank accounts reflect greed of instant gratification and self-indulgent pleasure.
I have no idea how much money my parents have, but they do own a significant amount of land and their home has been paid for for over a quarter of a century. Daddy has been pretty much able to name his own price, professionally, since he retired. He is skilled in an area that simply requires years of cumulative knowledge with experience and great leadership qualities, so even at 75 years old, he gets calls. As they used to say in the 50s and 60s, my parents are "comfortable." In the past year they announced they are getting their affairs in order and it seemed to take months and professionals, so I'm thinking they should be set to live out their golden years with as much security as is possible in these times.
On the other end of that spectrum is my daughter and her husband. He also makes fantastic money, but he and my daughter lavish themselves in "living for the moment." They don't own their own home, still making a car payment and last I heard both still have outstanding debt on student loans for degrees neither of them use. My daughter refers to it as a "rockstar lifestyle." She's voiced more than once, she's expecting an economic collapse and they'll simply take on a nomadic lifestyle. She's pushing 40 and he's just a few years younger than I am. So there are the two extremes and I'm somewhere not even in the middle.
In the event of collapse, I plan to be a place of refuge, but not for those who expect the collapse and refused to prepare. So this will not be a refuge for broke, unprepared, aged rockstar wanna-bees. Also, off this continuum, unlike my parents; I don't plan to retire. Unlike many boomers, I didn't invest in big retirement stock plans, but as it turns out, I'm not any worse off for that decision. I did invest, but not in Wall Street. I plan to be working, until the day I die. Some say I'm ridiculous and that's okay. Now, the point of this article goes beyond anyone's income or lifestyle, but rather, I get to hear the judgment and the justification of both extremes.
My mother, of course, views her materialism as "blessing." She listens to the religious prosperity guys and the conservative talk show hosts. She doesn't see it as the "love of money," it's American Christian Capitalism! She is quite vocal in her admonishment of the way my daughter handles money. In her estimation I did not give my daughter a proper value of money. "I know, right!" Once I voice my disdain for my daughter's values, she lightens up and then defends her. Since my goal is to drop the subject, that works! My mother's big concern is outliving their money. She told me she'd spend every dime if my dad's health needed. And well she should, he's the one that earned it!
On to my daughter's amazing observation. She refers to her grandparents' money management has hoarding. But then, she also refers to my business inventory as hoarding. She has a wonderful vocabulary but frequently misuses terms, for exaggerated effect. She believes in spending everything her husband earns, on themselves and immediately. I got to view their family vacation to Vegas this year, and watched a granddaughter skyjump off the stratosphere. My grandson said he had the choice of doing that or two rides because the jump cost over $100.00 My daughter calls her grandparents, greedy hoarders, while her lifestyle is superficial opulence and waste.
In this country we've gone completely extreme and both ends are "the love of money." When money is more important than people and fear overrides faith, it's a problem. I think in the case of Daddy, their net worth reflects the result of his hard work and good management. On the other hand saving in fear, amassing off of the hard work of others, or spending in frivolous waste, is all very self-focused and just different forms of greed. I don't share my parents view of the importance of money, but they are always generous with gifts for family, especially grandchildren. I have come to see, while the wealthy are blamed in this country and often falsely accused, "the love of money" is not always reflected in a big bank account. Sometimes small bank accounts reflect greed of instant gratification and self-indulgent pleasure.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Need vs. Greed
As a society, we've been living large for so long, we truly have no clue as to the absolutely difference between need and greed. I see that everywhere in our society, myself included. Convenience stores are becoming larger than grocery stores and the truth of the matter is, the majority of Americans do not put their money where their mouth is, they put their money where the convenience is.
I'm sick to death of hearing the demand for job creation when I see most of the citizenry standing around waiting for it to happen! Life will pass by those who are waiting for someone else to make it happen! Start a business . . . Hire an unemployed friend . . . Time to use our talents to carve out our own niche.
As for pro-life folks. Why buy products from a country that mandates abortion for the second baby girl in a family? While that nation is having the unwanted girls make cheap products to export, the nation is building quite a powerful army.
We may say we believe in something, but the truth is, our lifestyle says otherwise. We like lots and lots of stuff at our convenience. Some of our supposed "need" is actually just laziness. We have become such a society of relaxers that need to be entertained, most wouldn't know what to do if faced with an actual day's labor that needed to produce tangible results and accomplish a finished product.
We've become a nation that chooses to not see the bigger picture or the next step, but expects someone else to have the next comfortable convenience available when we get there and want more! We talk big about what we can do without, but most folks that are talking that way, have had it and didn't decide to do without, they lost it. Our nation has been operating on borrowed money and a pawn mentality for so long, we have the audacity to justify it and expect more perks or more understanding.
We cannot sort out each other's priorities. If we actually focused on what we could do to make things better, and tossed a few things that are truly unnecessary, we might discover we could actually offer more in the way of contribution, rather than criticism.
These articles this week, have really spurred my soul searching. Just because I'm not at the local mall or Super Center doesn't mean all my priorities are in order. I may not stop at the convenience store for coffee and cigarettes, but is there something I could be doing or someone I could actually be helping with that money I'm not spending? I've had a few of those moments of clarity and revelation of opportunity!
I'm sick to death of hearing the demand for job creation when I see most of the citizenry standing around waiting for it to happen! Life will pass by those who are waiting for someone else to make it happen! Start a business . . . Hire an unemployed friend . . . Time to use our talents to carve out our own niche.
As for pro-life folks. Why buy products from a country that mandates abortion for the second baby girl in a family? While that nation is having the unwanted girls make cheap products to export, the nation is building quite a powerful army.
We may say we believe in something, but the truth is, our lifestyle says otherwise. We like lots and lots of stuff at our convenience. Some of our supposed "need" is actually just laziness. We have become such a society of relaxers that need to be entertained, most wouldn't know what to do if faced with an actual day's labor that needed to produce tangible results and accomplish a finished product.
We've become a nation that chooses to not see the bigger picture or the next step, but expects someone else to have the next comfortable convenience available when we get there and want more! We talk big about what we can do without, but most folks that are talking that way, have had it and didn't decide to do without, they lost it. Our nation has been operating on borrowed money and a pawn mentality for so long, we have the audacity to justify it and expect more perks or more understanding.
We cannot sort out each other's priorities. If we actually focused on what we could do to make things better, and tossed a few things that are truly unnecessary, we might discover we could actually offer more in the way of contribution, rather than criticism.
These articles this week, have really spurred my soul searching. Just because I'm not at the local mall or Super Center doesn't mean all my priorities are in order. I may not stop at the convenience store for coffee and cigarettes, but is there something I could be doing or someone I could actually be helping with that money I'm not spending? I've had a few of those moments of clarity and revelation of opportunity!
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