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My earlier post on planning for an increase in income, and a few I've seen on income inequality has had me thinking about my life.
I was born poor, bottom quartile of all Americans for sure. My family lived in a crappy neighborhood, in a tiny apt, and had just one badly used car to our name. But we had shelter, and food security, and a decent school system just because we were American.
I don't know what my parents made, but poverty level here and now in America beats out 85% of the world, and that's pretty amazing.
Not looking at bootstraps and where I am now, as that was a separate grit/luck combo, but just at birth and I am very lucky.
Not getting into nationalistic pride, or patriotism, or service, but those born here are blessed, granted some more then others, but even those at the bottom have bootstraps and the ability to use them.
The problems I have are trivial. Automotive safety? Where to park my surplus earnings? How to get greener grass (never mind I live in a drought stricken area). Are these even in the higherarchy of needs?
The market is down 1%, volume is way up, but whatever, I have today, and I'll have tomorrow too, and I don't really have much to worry about because I've already won the lottery.
Few appreciate what a gift it is to live in a time and place where we have solid human rights, freedom, safety, and abundance. If you look at the history of human civilization you will see that this is unique. We have every reason to be thankful, peaceful and content.
So why are people anything but? The discontent certainly seems to have escalated in my lifetime. It is real that our rights, freedom, and abundance have declined somewhat, and that is worrisome. But I think most of it is turning on the TV and letting pundits and advertisers pipe in a load of fear and worry and inadequacy... to sell ideologies or products.
It's good to appreciate our freedom and use our time and energy wisely. Cherish this gift, and also fight against the forces that are trying to take it away.
I like your attitude. It's disappointing that people don't appreciate being here, and instead keep asking for more without working to earn it. Greed has no barrier.
The problem is that humans are hierarchical social animals, and that is why relative poverty is a problem for those who experience it. In this society, it is arguably a greater problem for men than for women, unless they are asexual antisocial hermits.
The problem is that humans are hierarchical social animals, and that is why relative poverty is a problem for those who experience it. In this society, it is arguably a greater problem for men than for women, unless they are asexual antisocial hermits.
I think with all the time you spend complaining on internet message boards that you could have made some improvements to your situation.
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