Ray,
You say that
"Money does not define value, simply economic value. To say that the
wealthy in society are the most valuable, productive, imaginative or
disciplined runs counter to any experience that I have ever had. They may
be focused, intense and successful in some areas like speculation,
management etc. but their wealth is principly valuable to themselves.
Giving that wealth the principle value in this society has caused a 100
year decline it the overall cultural seriousness of the society as well as
decimated the profession."
I find this an interesting assertion for a number of reasons:
1- America is rich in culture, to the point of being inclusive of a number
of cultures, yet it was conceived as a "commerical republic." The whole
point of the American experience was to let humans benefit from the
efforts of their labor. I don't see a decline in culture, but rather an
expansion of cultural ideas. The arts have not become less important to
Americans. Perhaps the shape and form of art has changed, but it's
importance is still evident.
2- If wealth is principly valuable to myself why are so many people
interested in how much money I make? The government wants to know my
income so they can take some of it, and share it with those who have done
nothing to earn it. And if I don't want to share my wealth, then I get to
go to jail. Nice. If anything were to validate your statement this would,
because this type of legalized plunder has done a lot to decay the
sustainability of the American experiement.
The basic virtues I enjoy in myself and in others are:
- Intelligence
- Competence
- Productivity
And where these three virtues are found in people, you'll also find people
who are making a pretty good living.
Wealth (how do you define wealth?) is indicative of a person who lives a
purposeful, productive, and enjoyable life. A person who inherits wealth,
and does not have these three virtues, will not have it long. And the
person who has nothing, but these three virtues, will enjoy prosperity.
The American experiment is living proof of that fact.
--Ben Compton <BCompton@dws.net>
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