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  #11  
Old March 8, 2002, 08:33 AM
Boyd Stone
 
Posts: n/a
Default You've given me my new motto [DNO]

dno
> Don't Let 'em See You Comin'

> Michael Ross.
  #12  
Old March 8, 2002, 11:52 AM
Eve
 
Posts: n/a
Default It's not about politics

The finding of that study is not surprising, but it has little to do with political beliefs, affiliation or propaganda. It is also not limited to the last 20-30 years or to the US, either.

The fundamental reason behind distrust, resentment and hate of the affluent is simple: being human.

We are imperfect creatures, and wealth and power can bring out the worst in us. Throughout history, this worst side of human nature has been demonstrated by both those who have wealth/power and those who don't.

You are correct in saying that the have-nots look at what the rich have and (1) want to have it for themselves and (2) resent the rich for being rich and having "stuff" when they themselves do not. It's a perfectly natural reaction. They're envious; it's human.

And because it IS human, this reaction isn't limited only to those who really are poor. The person who has $10 million almost certainly looks at the one with $100 million in a similarly envious way, as does that one when looking at the possessor of $1 billion in wealth. The BIG difference, though, is that they do not simply envy/resent those with more; they set out to acquire it for themselves.

The have-nots (even if they're making a decent income) don't know how to get it for themselves, since they're job-oriented and working at a job will never propel them into the ranks of the rich. They may do well and even become comfortable financially, but will continue to resent/hate the affluent as the study found because the wealthy not only have more to begin with, they also have the know-how of increasing their wealth.

(This can be very, very frustrating. In a parallel situation, imagine watching your golf partner regain last season's form with only a few weeks' play, while you yourself can't put up a decent score until mid-June. Makes you want to club him -- literally -- doesn't it?) *g*

I think we can agree that most people are not suited for self-employment and/or entrepreneurism. Have-nots know, either consciously or instinctively, that they lack the temperament/drive/ability to strike out on their own and this fuels their envy, too. It's a cycle, yes, and it's not going to begin changing until envy is no longer part of the human makeup.

Envy is only one side of it, though. The flip side, which contributes just as much flame to the issue, is the human tendency to press one's advantage. We may not like it much or even want to admit it, but it's in each one of us to some extent.

At the benign end, it's the tendency to want/have more than one needs, "a little extra"...extra money, another vehicle, more clothes, etc. All the "just in case" stuff. Logical and practical, they are for the most part justifiable. Kept at this level, the tendency is not a problem.

But, just like envy, it too, mushrooms, and people acquire more, better, bigger stuff just because they want to. Simply owning it fans envy, but often the tendency doesn't stop there. People use wealth and power to get and press their advantage, to dominate others, be it financially, socially or emotionally.

Historically, wealth has been used time and again to establish and maintain dominance, i.e., to keep the have-nots not having. Initiative and drive were prohibited. Today, we certainly have the freedom and opportunities to do our own thing and work to become as wealthy as we want, but that doesn't mean the tendency to dominate is buried in history.

Unscrupulous landlords still exist, demanding exorbitant rents for substandard housing. Price-gouging shopkeepers do business every day. Service providers charge well above the going rate if they find a captive audience. These examples are not isolated but they aren't the norm, either. However, enough of them happen every day to give the general impression that the practices are more common and widespread than they really are.

In the wake of the Enron calamity, many of us have probably wondered, even in passing, about the accounting practices and ethics of other large corporations. While it was happening, though, the company as a whole likely viewed its actions as the best strategy for its own future: more, better, bigger.

So, the upshot of the whole question -- hate/dislike of the affluent -- is the result of two major contributing factors, both part of human nature. Of themselves they are certainly not political. The tie-in to politics comes into play because of traditional[/i] affiliations, but haves and have-nots exist on both sides of the aisle -- as does grandstanding. This is not a political issue and it is pointless and misleading to try and make it one.

What it comes down to, I think, is how much responsibility we owe to our fellow humans. Some people will always be takers and there's not anything we can do to change that. I don't believe in unlmited handouts or unearned entitlements and over the years I have put in way more money into the public trough than I will ever get back. BUT I also believe we are all responsible for our "community," be it local, national or global, because in the end, if the community doesn't make it, neither will we.
  #13  
Old March 8, 2002, 12:23 PM
Boyd Stone
 
Posts: n/a
Default Sounds like what a college prof. might say [DNO]

dno
  #14  
Old March 8, 2002, 01:57 PM
Eve
 
Posts: n/a
Default Does a college prof. = liberal?

That would raise countless eyebrows in the halls of higher education from coast to coast (and worldwide, I suspect). Although it is true that much progressive/liberal thought originates on college campuses, this applies principally to a small handful of well known schools.

For the most part, however, I would say that academia is nearly always the last bastion of traditional opinion. Scholars, no matter what the discipline, have to be convinced of the correctness of new paradigms, since in most cases they have already published opinions that in some way or other support the prevailing, i.e., existing, view. Their reputations and credibility are on the line, so it's not likely for them to endorse differing opinions unless the supporting documentation is solid. This applies not only to *hard" sciences, but to the social sciences, as well.

Dien, since you have an *insider view* of the university environment, you probably know better than any of us how accurate the above assessment is.

P.S. I'm neither a college prof nor a liberal. *g*
  #15  
Old March 8, 2002, 03:40 PM
Rick Smith
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Should you reveal your success, or hide it...?

Tim wrote -

> I am a landlord and I would not dare go over
> to my tenants house in a nice car. That
> would only enrage them and make them think
> how I made my living off THEIR backs. It
> doesn't matter that I skrimped and saved to
> buy my rentals and that I spent a many
> weekends working on them. I slipped and fell
> on the sidewalk that I(the tenant) was
> supposed to shovel. Tim has a nice car lets
> sue him. I'm not done.

> Lets move onto the other landlords. Look at
> that Tim with his ad in the newspaper, bench
> signs, news releases, flashy business cards,
> that he places all over the place. He must
> really be ripping off some poor old lady to
> get a properties so cheap. I think it is
> terrible what he does, he gives the rest of
> us HONEST landlords a bad name. You know
> what, I think I saw some trash on his
> property, I think I'll call the city. You
> know I'm not sure that he should be putting
> that bench sign (totally legal mind you)
> where he does, I'm going to complain. Also,
> let me complain to the newspaper because of
> his creative thinking, he is always the
> first ad in the Homes for Sale section. I
> don't like the fact that at our monthly
> landlord meetings, he places his "I BUY
> HOMES" business cards on the desks.
> That is not right. Who cares that he has
> paid his yearly dues to be at the meetings.
> He is not playing fair. Translation: I am
> mad at Tim because he is just plain more
> successful and/or creative then I am.
> Instead of trying to be more
> creative/successful myself, I'll try and
> make it hard on him. I will try and knock
> him down.

I don't know how many of you realize this and I know Tim would never say this himself, but Tim knows what he's talking about. Tim is well respected over on Creative Real Estate Online, http://www.creonline.com. Many of you have asked if creative real estate techniques work. Well, Tim Jensen is a living, breathing example of someone who is making it work. In fact, it was some of Tim's posts among others that got me started thinking about bandit signs as a way to market my up and coming real estate business. Further, I was out on some errands today. While I was out, sure enough I noticed some bandit signs. Because of what I'd read, I wrote down the phone number and URL from the sign.

So... take a page out of Tim Jensen's playbook.

Rick Smith, "The Net Guerrilla"


Click to Discover How to Get a Great New Life in 10 Days!
  #16  
Old March 8, 2002, 06:27 PM
Ken
 
Posts: n/a
Default What is a 'bandit' sign? (dno).

..
  #17  
Old March 8, 2002, 07:30 PM
Dien Rice
 
Posts: n/a
Default Jealousy and ignorance....

Hi Eve,

I agree with some of the things you said in your earlier post, in that I think much anti-rich feeling is probably jealousy combined with ignorance.

I also think Don Alm is right about the hypocrisy of many of our politicians.

People are jealous of those who have what they don't. And they're even more jealous when they don't understand how those people got what they have!

I've come across the common view that the only way you can get rich by "ripping people off" - many people really believe this. They don't realize that this very belief of theirs in fact is holding them back!

This is also true in academia. There are some smart academics who have this kind of belief too. However, you will find many radical views in academia too. I think the hallmark of academia is its diversity - you'll find a full spectrum of views, from the most liberal to the most conservative. From the socialists to the laissez-faire capitalists. Academics I think are more likely to be independent thinkers. Well, as long as you're not too independent! ;)

Knowledge really is power in business. I've worked in the past with a great guy who is making good money in his business - but he works like a dog. Typically, he works 6 days a week, from about 8 am to 8 pm sometimes.

I see this as the "business trap" which I want to avoid. His problem is that he's using no leverage! He's in a time trap and he's not sure how to get out.

But most people know nothing about leverage, and it's much more difficult to apply leverage if you're a salaried employee than if you're in business. I think the solution is the right kind of education - education on how to be an entrepreneur. They generally don't teach you this in school - but I think times may be slowly changing....

- Dien Rice


A great book on how to use leverage in your business....
  #18  
Old March 8, 2002, 09:14 PM
Terry (Houston)
 
Posts: n/a
Default Nice Post Tim

A bandit sign is one of those little 18 x 24 signs you see on the side of the road.

Some say Work From Home or The Dish Network and things like that. Or Lose Weight, Ask Me How.

Nice post Tim, I get hit with things like that as well. Though no snow down here.

Terry (Houston)
  #19  
Old March 8, 2002, 11:09 PM
Tim Jensen
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Should you reveal your success, or hide it...?

Rick,

Thank you for those kinds words. I don't know how creative I am when it comes to financing real estate, however I like to think of myself as a creative marketer.

As for bandit signs, I don't use them that ofetn, because the city asked me to stop. If i put up a sign its usually next to a for rent or for sale sign.

I will say that I have gotten a couple deals directly from the bandit signs. I would definately try them. Just try and use them in a lawful manner otherwise you may get called by your city or even fined.

Good Luck,
Tim
  #20  
Old March 9, 2002, 08:55 AM
Eve
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Jealousy and ignorance....

Hi, Dien --

Thanks for the further insight into academia. And I also agree about hypocrisy being so common among all politicians.

As for getting ahead by ripping other people off, that, too, is a no-no in my book. There seems to be some sort of "fail-safe" in life; sooner or later we're made to pay -- in one way or another -- for cheating. Progress is much more quick if we don't start the cycle in the first place. *g*

Your comments about leverage and the "business trap" are so true, and lessons I've learned through painful experience. I didn't know these things when I had my business a few years ago, and in the end bankruptcy was my only option.

I AM going to set up a business again. This time, however, I'm taking the time to learn from others with experience and your board is the place I turn to first every day. Thank you for shaping it into the excellent resource it is. I have learned so much in the past year, most especially from Gordon. His wisdom strikes a chord with me, so when he speaks I always pay attention.

Thanks a gazillion -- to both of you.

Eve §:)
 


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