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The greediest people I see are the ones stashing money hand over fist into offshore accounts, using the tax cut for stock buybacks, and generally not letting any new wealth filter down to the lower wealth brackets. You call poor people greedy, but there is a HUGE difference between coveting $50 versus coveting $1,000,000.
Also, keep in mind that income gap in this country has never been higher. It should be beyond obvious who the most greedy people are in our country, and I consider Donald Trump one of them. I'm still not sure why you don't because your response doesn't really sell your conclusion.
originally posted by: TheRedneck
I have yet to see someone turn down a raise... I have yet to see someone accept a higher price for something they're selling... and yet, I rarely see someone doing that not denigrate those who have more than they do, especially among the non-wealthy.
I believe you are conflating greed with success. If so, I assure you I am not hypocritical enough to declare that success is greed.
And that paragraph proves my point. You, yourself, have just demonstrated greed. You are greedy because you desire money so badly you fail to even consider that someone else might have money because they worked for it.
I'm not a rich man... as a matter of fact, at this moment in time, I am a very poor man. But I have had money, and during that time I was able to say three little words that I doubt your greed has ever allowed you to say: "It is enough."
Is it ever enough?
TheRedneck
No. YOU are conflating greed with success. Raises are what you get for continued service at a company. Now I will agree with you that price hiking is a very good sign of greed.
I never said I wanted more money. Don't put words in my mouth.
You literally know nothing about me. I don't live outside of my means and don't want to be rich. Stop trying to tell me how I live based on my opinions. It's dishonest and shameful of you.
originally posted by: TheRedneck
And if that company does not give you the raises you expect, they are then greedy, right?
Raises are an indication that one's value to their company has increased. While it is true that such may and often does include experience gained while working, it is a false assumption that unqualified experience will always lead to greater value. Greed is demanding more for the same, which is what you just did.
That is what the complaint about wealth disparity boils down to for the vast majority of people: someone has much more than I do, and it's not fair to me! The very fact that you accuse those who have experienced success of greed simply because they are successful says more about you than your chosen words ever could.
That is not an attack; it is an observation.
I know you from your words. That is the only way anyone on the Internet knows anyone else, as actions are often hidden behind a wall of anonymity. The height of insincerity is to try and pretend that one's history of statements has no bearing on what one believes.
If, as you say (and I reject), you truly do not wish to be "rich," then the only logical conclusion is you want others to be poor. That, too, is greed; such would elevate you financially relative to the rest of society, to the detriment of others no less. I do not believe that is a true statement, however, and that it is simply your way to attempt to protect yourself from other greedy people who you feel may target you for appearing to be "greedy" due to your relative success.
After all, one aspect of human nature is to assume that others share the same traits we ourselves hold.
TheRedneck
There could be many reasons why someone doesn't get a raise.
The point I was making is that accepting a raise isn't indicative of greed.
Believe it or not, it is possible to care about people other than yourself. Wealth disparity is making our poor situation worse and it isn't greedy to not want to be poor, NOR is it greedy for others to want to help poor people level the playing field.
You know my opinions. That's it. I rarely ever give personal anecdotes relating my situation to my opinion without being asked, but people like you REALLY love to tell me what I think and how I behave.
Your logic is insane. None of that paragraph made a lick of sense.
originally posted by: TheRedneck
No, it is not. However, demanding a raise without regard to an honest evaluation of value typically is an indication of greed.
You seem to believe economics is a zero-sum game. It is not; however, that is straying form the topic.
It is not greedy to want to help the poor... and most successful businessmen do so via charities. What is greedy is to want to help the poor using someone else's resources. I highly respect anyone who gives to others in an attempt to help them; I highly despise anyone who tries to do so by giving the resources of others because they assume greed. That in itself is an indicator of greed.
Are you stating that the opinions expressed by yourself all these years on this forum are contrary to what your true opinions are? If so, I call BS.
What are we, if not products of our opinions?
Another aspect of human nature I have noticed quite often is the inability to apply logic to oneself.
TheRedneck
Paying taxes is your Constitutional duty too.
originally posted by: Fools
originally posted by: amazing
originally posted by: Fools
originally posted by: amazing
Here's an honest question though. Why do you think Trump has your best interests at heart? His a greedy billionaire.
I never thought Hillary or most of the democrats had my best interests at heart either. I just don't trust Trump any more than I did Hillary.
That's a legitimate concern, right?
If you think so, then yes it is a legitimate concern for you. For me, it's not.
Okay...the spoiled rich kid who got out of serving in the military and doesn't have any manners isn't going over so well with me.
Well it obviously worked for Bill Clinton in the recent past. Actually other than the "rich" part which is an argument Bill Clinton was vastly more "connected" than Trump and he also avoided Vietnam through his connections.
Apples and oranges? No, because you cannot say, "well these two guys did pretty much the same thing but I am going to bring my ire down on just one of them." Or maybe YOU can? I don't know, so many people are mixed up these days - I am surprised we don't have an inner city crack dealer for our executive at this point. Seems that people admire that more than they ever should.
originally posted by: amazing
originally posted by: Fools
originally posted by: amazing
originally posted by: Fools
originally posted by: amazing
Here's an honest question though. Why do you think Trump has your best interests at heart? His a greedy billionaire.
I never thought Hillary or most of the democrats had my best interests at heart either. I just don't trust Trump any more than I did Hillary.
That's a legitimate concern, right?
If you think so, then yes it is a legitimate concern for you. For me, it's not.
Okay...the spoiled rich kid who got out of serving in the military and doesn't have any manners isn't going over so well with me.
Well it obviously worked for Bill Clinton in the recent past. Actually other than the "rich" part which is an argument Bill Clinton was vastly more "connected" than Trump and he also avoided Vietnam through his connections.
Apples and oranges? No, because you cannot say, "well these two guys did pretty much the same thing but I am going to bring my ire down on just one of them." Or maybe YOU can? I don't know, so many people are mixed up these days - I am surprised we don't have an inner city crack dealer for our executive at this point. Seems that people admire that more than they ever should.
But two wrongs don't make a right or just because Bill did it doesn't mean we should excuse it in Trump. We have better candidates, better people out there. Why do we have to settle? I think we should call BS on whoever is spouting it no matter if it's a dem or a republican.
That isn't what you said originally though.
Social programs aren't greed. They are support systems to help people struggling.
It's really bizarre that you guys believe this falsehood.
I'm saying it is highly insulting to assume my behaviors and beliefs if I haven't directly told you them yet. Every time you conservatives do this # you use some bastardized version of liberal philosophy to misrepresent my intentions and goals.
Agreed. I'm looking at you as you say that.
originally posted by: Fools
a reply to: Krazysh0t
Paying taxes is your Constitutional duty too.
Is it? where does it say that specifically? I see that it only applies to protection via military as well as interstate commerce.
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
So how did the USA get along without taxation we see in these days before it existed?
I expect that you will broaden the explanation to include things outside of the actual laws as written. When was the last time that someone made a post on the actual constitution and what it covers and what it does not? I think the time is due. Just to remind folks such as yourself.
originally posted by: TheRedneck
I never said they are. I said attempting to force others to help the poor is one form of greed.
I quite understand that you cannot fathom actual deeply-held beliefs, such as the belief that no one should reign supreme over others. In that vein, I can at least understand your statement.
You appear to have placed yourself in a position to assure offense, then. People are judged every day as to their belief systems and morals, based on their actions and statements. That's just how life is. I believe the proper response to this certainty of life would be to examine those statements before making them, but I can see we disagree.
Considering the statement you replied to was concerning introspective examination, I fail to see how "looking at you" is applicable to it. Your introspection by definition would be looking at yourself; my introspection would by definition be looking at myself.
You appear to be somewhat confused.
TheRedneck
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
Here you go inventing my opinions again. Did it ever occur to you that my liberal beliefs are deeply held?
Also, no one rules over anyone in our country. We don't have kings.
Maybe if I bothered to actually tell you them instead of you using them as a deflecting point unproked from the topic you'd be right.
Furthermore, if your love with the Koch Brothers' beliefs is so deeply held then admit it.
Don't attack me with ad hominems because I talked about the history of your beliefs.
Ok, Mr. "I'm too tired for Semantics", I'm calling you out for the same # you are trying to call me out for.