People around the world spent the last several weeks "occupying" spaces on or near the offices of big corporations in large cities. This was supposed to bring attention to the fact that 1% of the population possesses and controls almost all the worldly wealth. The "occupiers" ostensibly represented the 99% who do not share in that wealth.
Well ... I do not share in that wealth, but they don't represent me. I am fully aware of the reasons I am not one of the 1%.
1) I didn't INHERIT any of it.
2) I didn't DO anything in my life to ensure that I GOT part of it.
3) I didn't go into an area of enterprise that would have guaranteed me part of it.
4) Luck.5) I didn't win a lottery.
You see, my parents (although not exactly poor) did not leave me a huge inheritance, in trust or otherwise, that I could either squander or have knowledgeable "handlers" increase the value of.
I did not run with ideas I felt would improve lives. I did share those ideas with others ... who then ran with them. I did not write the books that might have helped people struggling with daily pain (physical and emotional). As the years went by, others wrote those books.
I did not become a doctor, a lawyer, a financier, an accountant, an internet entrepeneur or an opportunist who would bilk any of the preceding out of their wealth.
There are those who will tell you that you make your own luck, and that is true - to a point! If you have done everything "right" as far as an education, research and twenty-hour work-days go and you are not part of the 1%, then elusive luck does factor into your lack of accumulated wealth. Sorry, but them's the breaks.
I did buy a ticket! :)
The point is ... those who have, get! As my mother always said, "The rich get richer, and the poor get children". We each made/make choices daily that determine whether we accumulate wealth or decimate it! Warren Buffet does not drive a new car and never has.
Just a thought ....
Mom, you make good points here. I have to disagree slightly in that the 1% are mostly not doctors, lawyers, actors, authors, owners of one or two McDonalds franchises. They are more like the owners of REALLY REALLY REALLY big things. They are not paying their taxes and not creating more jobs (which they easily could). Even your richest actors or musicians are not in the 1%. I think many people don't understand that it's not wealth that makes that divide. IT IS STINKING WEALTH not shared properly. Even if you were Stephen King rich you still wouldn't be in the 1%. PS. I am rich. I have you.
ReplyDeleteSparrow ... YOU make some really good points here! You are, of course, correct - in that it is STINKING WEALTH that is so offensive. The billionnaire I mentioned does have a conscience, and has suggested that those with HIS kind of wealth (himself included) be taxed appropriately. I have always had a problem with corporate tax loop-holes (and lots of other things!). But I stand by my statements as I, too, could probably be STINKING RICH if I lacked moral fiber!
ReplyDeleteAs it is, I am joyously happy with the riches I have! You know who you are ... :)