Being Wealthy Is Not the Issue But What You Do To Become More Can Be.
Posted: Saturday, March 31, 2007
by straight talk
Certainly having wealth is of itself not an indication of a person’s character good or bad. However, it is what you do and how you use that wealth and power that makes a statement as to who you are good or bad.
Yet in defense of accumulating wealth certainly most people in America aspire, as the saying goes, to get rich! Wealth will not necessarily make you happy but it is what ignorant people think will. It is a real shame isn’t it? Yet, that is a Capitalist goal and it is impressed upon our children from the day they can reason. In other words we all want the good things in life. There is nothing morally, religious or otherwise wrong with having money and wealth. However, to what part it becomes and obsession and is used for the exploitation and determent of others is in my opinion another matter.
Now it is also not to say the average person or the poor do not commit crime and sin. We are all human and we all fail. Crime and sin has no lock on any social class. We are however talking in this context about exploitation and abuse pure and simple. Rhetorically, it amazes me where the religious and humanitarians are on these matters? I really do not want to offend them but just where are they? They seem to have a penchant for advocating illegal workers rights but what about average American families who are on the street and struggling day to day?
Now I do not think that anyone can argue that the majority of our elected officials, outside of perhaps local politicians are above average or what many consider comfortable or wealthy. It has been this way for quite sometime now. Simply put you just can’t run for national or state office on $8.00 and hour and expect to get elected unless you have wealthy people behind you. So I think it is fair to say that we can reach agreement that the people driving the car are wealthy or at least above average in means.
Now practically speaking I cannot see anyone “chopping off their nose to spite their face" as the old saying goes. So it takes a person of real character and integrity to not succumb to temptation and not vote for that, which will benefit only themselves and others of their social class while at the expense of the people they represent. That is a very rare commodity indeed today. That is in church, business, government or life.
I think that is where many wealthy feel the sting and backlash against them. Rightly or wrongly, justified or not wealthy people pull the strings that average people march to and quite simply they are most likely the ones in power. Unfortunately, the word of this century, the opinion of many is that they do not see good character in many of these people and in many organizations and their leaders today. Why, because average Americans are the people being directly impacted by the CEO, Government officials, the Church leaders, etc and by their thoughts, words and deeds.
Oh, you say people are judging unfairly based solely on a person’s wealth. Well someone could argue against that point because it is only their actions, words and deeds that are the facts that people disagree with and form their opinion of. After all they are the ones who do and say these things. People disagree with their actions and how it impacts them and their families and this nation not because they have wealth but how they use that wealth.
As example, when we see the continued trade deals favoring other nations over our country, layoffs after layoffs, the cutting of benefits and “high" priced employees with lower paid workers and more costly and less coverage, the lowering of wages and number of work hours, the farming out of services offshore along with critical personal identification information. When we have factually millions of illegal workers flaunting our nations law and borders and our elected sworn officials looking the other way or condoning it, alleged lies at all levels of government, scandals in the church and business, millions without basic health care, etc, etc, etc., as the line goes in “The King and I", then in my opinion it is not an unfair opinion to make of those who are in charge and who are most likely wealthy.
Now let me add these questions. What about those people who are over 55 and can’t find decent paying jobs and are to be found in no government employment statistics and are out of work and told they must be “retooled“ after 30 or 40 years of work? Do you really think this is the issue? What about those people who already have a good pension, are over 70, get $8.00 and hour and have their part time to keep busy? Are they not taking a job from someone who might be able to use one? At 70 plus do we really think we work at full throttle, especially in today’s understaffed environments. No, but we will work for less and no benefits.
The again what about it when the wealthiest man in the world and an American says we must import more foreign help because we can’t find good people here in America because we‘re not educating our workers? What about people who are out of work, can’t get any help for rent, schooling, food and education to get a decent job while illegal workers, green card recipients get a free ride as do people of selected race groups? Some will say race because they can’t accept truth but it is just plain and simple fact once again.
What about those elderly people who are shut-in and their families are forced to stay at home to care for them and they can’t get a nickel for help because they have $1500.00 in the bank and an insurance policy to pay for the burial and they are told they “don’t qualify“? How about Uncle Sam paying for the birth and health care of an illegal worker but an American citizen gets minimum help and has to go through hell to get it? How about families who have been laid off for months not getting any help with utilities, rent or anything else and are told to take a day labor job 50 plus miles away one way with gas at $2.50 a gallon, a two hour ride one way and pay of $6.50 an hour. Look at the foreclosure boom and who is impacted and who is making money. Look at those banks that love to give illegal workers credit at 29% plus. Once again, please give us a break. What about our military no getting proper equipment for battle, serving multiple tours and then come home to poor medical care or no job? What about all that?
I have to ask Mr. Pastor just where are you to say it politely? Yes, you can go down the list of how about and continue on and on and you will find one fact after the other.
You see the little guy; the poor and the average person can only go by facts and a persons deeds. In my opinion they recognize it is unfair to apply it to every one of means. However and frankly in my opinion it is more the norm today then not that someone will take advantage and most likely when one looks they have wealth or are above average in financial means. Not all but many. The Hey Paisano, or “you can trust me" never was and never will be when it comes to money. Sorry, Money has only one allegiance and that’s in making more money.
So when you hear or read about people complaining about the rich or use the term wealthy they may use well-known personalities and leaders comments to emphasize their opinion. It is not to begrudge them their wealth because we really all aspire to wealth but it is about abuse.
Her are some examples of people in power just to illustrate. You know the statements like “Good job Brownie" while people were dying and then Brownie gets fired a week later. How about “Mission Accomplished" for multiple years but our sons and daughters get rotated in and out of a war zone multiple times? Then again this one may upset some “Money always trumps peace". We can also throw in item after item from the Attorney General, the lockup of two border agents for doing their job, to our Congressmen with alleged money in the fridge, to trade deals that do not have to be approved by congress, to illegal workers and a never ending list the continues to grow. Yes, you can bet your last dollar the person involved is in the opinion of many very likely to be considered wealthy or at minimum well above average in financial means and educated to boot.
If these people are elected officials you can take a peak at their voting record and I’d bet many of them voted for NAFTA. You know that agreement that was supposed to be good for Americans but turned out the opposite. Oh, it was good for you? Well you are probably correct? It is also probably a good assumption that the same people favor Comprehensive Immigration Reform and amnesty and a good worker program like NAFTA. After all there is nothing like more low wageworkers to improve the bottom line profits and increase wealth.
I would also say they evidently see nothing wrong with any of that and all those things people who make money today want and love. If you’re one who is making money and agree with this approach then you know all I say is pure fact and nothing more intended.
So please don’t get upset if you’re a decent person and have wealth when people use the term wealthy to describe those who push the buttons. It is my opinion that it is not meant for you individually and unfortunately you may get stereotyped even if you are trying to do the right and moral thing but the sad fact is the majority in power have above average wealth. It is only directed at those who never have enough.
You know those types who will steal your eyes out of your head if they get the chance? It is those people who will smile while taking advantage and use you, they who would connive and make deals in secret and those who would sell their very souls for a buck. Yes, and those who all the while sit in the front row in church, look in the mirror each day and smile and have no care or concern except for how much more they can make or made. Yes, you know the ones that say one thing but do another. You must know a few don’t you? Yes, we know we can identify some of them because we know their words and their deeds.
Yes, don’t get upset if you’re the opposite of them but please understand what people are addressing when they say things about the wealthy because they are in control. That is a fact pure and simple fact and “no ifs ands or buts“. They have and hold the office and positions and they have the ability to make change and they have the chance and opportunity to work for America and to help Americans. Unfortunately only the wealthy today have that capability and in the opinion of many average Americans they could care less.
Now in closing, no one is against anyone’s right to secure a fair profit or to grow or compete. Average Americans are against the dismantling of our nations capability and future for profit without concern for anything else but self-interests and personal gain. Frankly it is called in many an Americans opinion and mine a lack of allegiance to people, employees, and neighbors and to our nation.
Robert T. Melaccio Sr. Copyright ©2007 Robert Melaccio
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)I think the Average American has found a Protector in you Robert. You have become the voice and the advisor and the inspiration for a lot of people who believed they were invisible. Keep up the good work. The research is great and the numbers are shocking. We do not realize until we take the time to read what has taken someone like you the time to research and write a very forceful article about. Once again, good job Robert. Sincerely, nancy greenPlease log in to respond to this comment.Nancy, thank you once again. I have found that words are hollow unless they are backed by deeds. I also try to remove the personal from their position because they are most likely nice at home and loved. Yet, in their works, what they do or fail to do that impacts us all, that is the true essence of who they really are. One can profess anything but to be what they profess, that is truly having character. So my judgment is based on facts of what their non action or works and those things that they have done that impact me and mine and others. That is the truth of who they or anyone truly is. It is right there Nancy for those who care to "see". If we allow that which harms us to flourish then we have no one but ourselves to blame. Believe me there are many like us who feel and think the same. Yet it takes every single one of us individually to act. Spread the word, write, make change. Don't wait for them to do it they won't. Your vote is not wasted when you vote and it does send a message they fear. Vote them out and you will see change. Best wishes.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Hello Robert. I thank you sir for your comments and I promise you I will not Turn my back on evil or pretend not to notice the injustices in the world and in our own country. To not act Is the worst action of all.Look forward to some more of your words.Sincerely,Nancy GreenPlease log in to respond to this comment.
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