The shame of the affluent (#982)

It has become clear that affluence has it's drawbacks. In my young mind I had thought becoming wealthy was an unmistakable goal of positive attainment. I have since become aware of the thoughts and actions of the affluent and see that there is more of a negative nature to it's fruition. Just having wealth is not by itself a bad thing, however it is what happens to our principles for living that does make for negative outcomes. It appears that those who have wealth must separate themselves from the rest of us out of some fear of losing their wealth. They begin to look on those without wealth as lesser humans and not worthy of their time or interactions. This fear is how they see the rest of the world and thus create another class of citizen, them and us. Having all the fine and comfortable trappings wealth can offer is so appealing to so many that the thought of losing it once attained is unthinkable. A selfish attitude toward what is thought to be rightfully theirs is the mindset and anyone who would take from them is considered an enemy. Even if the taking is in the form of society and it's rules for governing. No one person is immune from another person as that is how society works, however the affluent wish to have immunity from those who are not affluent. Our system of economy rewards many facets of behavior the greatest of which is hard work with innovative ideas. The admiration of those among us who have attained this type of economic success brings out tremendous admiration from me and countless others. But admiration is lost when the cost of those who are affluent make life more difficult for the ones who are not. Economics does not determine the value of the human, character and principled conviction do. today the affluent have neither when they are living in the belly of fear.