Granted, many are spoiled. However, a good number are not as well.
Growing up in the US, I understand the contempt that we Americans hold
against the rich. It is clearly evident in our culture, from movies like
Titanic, to our feelings of hearing an English accent. We think "pompous
and haughty." We hold in high regard those of modest roots who attain
great wealth, and then despise their blameless children. Why is that?
Honestly ask yourself what you would do if you were a millionaire. After
reading this column, it would falsely be instinctive to reply, "Well, I
wouldn't go out and buy a Beamer, get a cell, and shop at Versace
boutiques." But in reality, many of us envy wealth and materialistic things.
Many wish we could go out every night, spend without a whim, and live a
very comfortable life. Who wouldn't?
It seems that many assume that if one is rich, one is automatically
pretentious. We imagine a fellow/lady in gaudy attire stroking their
poodles. Or we picture those that reserve four tables at a nightclub and
buy several rounds of drinks for all their friends every weekend. It is one
thing to live the good life. It is clearly another to tactlessly flaunt it.
Right now, you probably think that I must be one of the affluent ones.
Although I seem to be "defending" them, I simply want to shed some light.
I'm not ashamed to say that I come from a pretty modest background.
I've worked hard since I was a kid.
I could write on about how tough life was,
and now is, but where does grumbling get me?
I could write on about how I wish I was wealthy,
but where does wishing get me?
I could ridicule the wealthy that have fallen to an average level and grumble about it,
but where does belittling get me?
Tact and diplomacy is respected. Hold your judgment. Hold your tongue.
Who are we to tell others how to live their lives?
Who are we to cry about what we don't have,
when we have so much already? (Maslow's Hierarchy in effect)
"I used to cry because I had no shoes,
until I met a man with no feet."
-Sajim de Ce-
alx on Thursday, December 17, 1998 @ 01:07 EST wrote:
Chinese & Indonesia
Regarding Indonesia and the Chinese, yes, it is all true, the rapes, the
murders, the beheadings, the riots, the suffering. What is untrue is the
media's numbers. "Only 10 students were killed at the May riots."
(Multiply any and all of those numbers by about 12 and you're getting
closer). Much of my family has been affected. My 2 year old niece had
her little head bashed in by a rock through the car windshield because of
the ignorance, the hatred, the racism.
It is understandable how the majority of the population can easily
misperceive the truth since 3% of the population (which is Chinese)
controls 70% of the economy. (This is amplified by the fact that there is
no middle class). Either you're VERY well off or you're scraping by. (This
is slowly changing). Many would like to believe that this is due to the
Chinese being manipulative and exploitative of the inexpensive labor
and favorable market conditions.
It is because historically the Chinese were traders in the early years and
bought and sold the goods of the indigenous population. It is because
better business decisions were made. As the Jews are sharp with their
business practices, do you truly believe that the US gives over 50% of
the foreign aid budget to Israel for democracy and peace? (It`s called
lobbying). The same goes to say for the Chinese in Indonesia. They have
to play the government's games. For the idealists, it is IMPOSSIBLE to
be a profitable company without bribing, let alone incorporating or
starting a business! Or how about getting licenses to import, to sell, to
rent land, to do anything. Who do you think gives out the licenses? The
government! And point out a Chinese gov't official in the Indonesian
government and I'll be in awe. Corruption and collusion is the way of life.
It is the reality, albeit unfortunate.
With respect to the IMF, they know what they're doing. Granted no one
likes recessions or economic turmoil. I like what "normaldude" has to
say. Read "normaldude" on Thursday, July 16, 1998 @ 17:04 EST. It
seems he's read a couple books on economic macrotheory and done
his homework. The general world population can't seem to grasp that
this supposed "crisis" was necessary and inevitable. The currencies
were far too overvalued. In other words, the price per dollar was artificial.
It wasn't the true value. It was tampered with by government officials. The
ASEAN members brought this on themselves. They allowed
overinvesting from overseas. Companies took the risk of being highly
leveraged.
They all knew what they were getting themselves into, and it's
unfortunate, but they're now paying for it. Thus the IMF demanded that
the countries they'd help would have to let their currencies find their true
values through a self-induced recession whether by devaluing currency or
eradicating subsidization. As harsh as this may seem, surprisingly,
recession is good (for the current situation).
Times are tough, and as I am just about to graduate myself soon, I know
that the US is readying itself for another rerun of the 1990-1 years. So for
those that believe it is easy to say what I have said, I've lived it, and will
be living it soon again.
These are trying times for many, financially, physically, spiritually, and
mentally.
I`ve said much, and I will hold my peace. To those that live in danger, be
safe. To those in hardship and suffering, stay strong. To those that hate,
learn. To those that expend without whim, be tactful and keep in humility.
To my 2 year old niece, may she rest in peace.
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."
-Lao Tsze-
alx