Quote:
Originally Posted by jammies
I want extreme punitive measures against those who defy the law for their personal gain under the cloak of "sharp business practice". I want intellectual property laws which are slanted towards encouraging creativity rather than rewarding the proprietors of content whose originators are long dead, or whose "property" is nothing but words about an obvious process. I want sustained governmental pressure against regimes like China's that care nothing for human rights, regardless of what that might do to trade with such regimes. I want the end of the apartheid-like system of reserves for Natives. I want unrestricted freedom of speech. I want privacy rights for the individual to trump the right of corporations to retain, obtain, and analyze personal data. I want the legal system to be impartial and not about who can afford the best lawyer. And that's just the start.
There's many, many things that I want. Getting together with people that also want things, whether they be sensible things as I see them - or not - is a worthwhile thing even if all it does is signal that people are discontent and are starting to care enough about being discontented to organize. I don't deny that we live in a place that the rest of the world envies, but it didn't get that way by listening to those who felt that the status quo was just fine as it was, and it won't stay that way by sitting around grumbling at those ungrateful kids who just don't know when they've got it good.
Seriously, listen to yourselves. The bulk of you sound just like any other group of conservative elders who moan and gripe that "in my day, a little elbow grease and a chipper attitude was enough to solve any problem, by Gad!" It's easy to sit back and be cynical and to tell yourself that human nature is unchangeable, but not at all as easy to look at yourself and wonder if it's just you that is now impervious to change.
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So basically, you want Utopia? Good luck with that.
At the end of the day, this sounds like a bunch a have-nots, envious of the haves. If you were pulling down 6 figures, had your house paid for, and under no financial strain, would you really care about any of this? Likely not.
The have-nots that seems to be the center of this movement, seem to think successful rich people just fell into their wealth. Sure there is some family or inherited wealth out there, but in most cases, these people are self made.
The richest guy I personally know (personal net worth of about $60 million would be conservative in my estimation, his company is worth about $150 million), is the hardest working guy I have met in my life, and will be lucky to make 60 due to his work ethic, he is 52 now. He is 14-16 hours a day, 6 days a week, and takes Sunday for his family, and a month during the year away with them. And even at that his Sundays are usually spent volunteering or donating time, with family in tow to various local charities.
The guy started from a nothing, little grubby business, to massive company. He has always stated his motivation was watching the bailiffs remove all the furniture from their home when he was a kid, and vowing to never be in that position with his family. Almost an OCD like compulsion to succeed, and he is up front about his flaws. I have seen the guy unclog an overflowed toilet in a $2000 suit, because his employees were too busy at the time. The guy just gets it.
Even though, he donates more money time and money to charitable causes in a year, than most people will
earn in 5, he doesn't owe anyone a nickel. His blood, sweat and tears made him what he is, nothing less, nothing more. And even if he was a greedy a-hole, he has that right. He earned that right, and you, are not entitled to one penny unless you are under his employ. I am sure he exploits the tax system to the max, and has some back door deals here and there, all these guys do, of course they do. However, I am sure the 400 + people he employs, couldn't give a flying you-know-what as long as their pay cheques clear.
The hurdles to become 'that' guy, are no different today, than they were 25 years ago when he got his start. In fact, the cost to borrow for a business is lower than it has ever been, and there are more programs available as well. Some people just want it more and are willing to sacrifice more than others. And some people are just willing to go play extreme frisbee in the park and smoke a joint because they are not. They blame their lack of accountability and motivation on 'the man', when sometimes the mirror is where they should really be looking.
/oldmanyellingatcloud