Money, Ruler of All

Originally posted by Astyanax
Money is freedom, not slavery. What oppresses people is not money, but the lack of it.

Excellent point, though I would add a slight addendum -- the lack of money, combined with our own expectations of what "lack" means.

Lacking money to buy food, water, shelter, well, that's one thing. But few people posting on the Internet with the luxury of time to debate philosophy lack those. Lacking money to buy a bigger car than your neighbour (or any car at all, for that matter,) not quite the same time.

Money does not control us. Our own wants control us. One may argue where those wants come from, and how relevant they are, but that's a piece that we should be able to control, even if we choose not to. If I determine that my time is the one thing that I can't get more of, and opt to forego the new 3D LED tv to spend more time with my family and friends (doing something other than watching my new 3D LED tv, lol) that's my choice.