I think I agreed with (almost) everything in that post.
drdawg said:I'm simply not so sure of that catch-all phrase, "greed". I think every human being wants, within reason, to make as much money as possible. Would that be called something other than greed?
drdawg said:Thank God, most want to do it honestly. Some just don't care. Again, this just comes down to ethics, morality, and the respect for all mankind. Some are not only greedy but are also power-seekers. That's a bad combination for sure.
Agree, with minor qualifications. Enough money BECOMES power, in part because in capitalism, enough money puts you mostly above the law, and because they can buy representatives who then write laws to protect their patron..
>> Some just don't care.
Agreed, and I think that is part of the definition of "sociopath". but to be fair to sociopaths, they are mentally damaged sot hat they CAN'T feel compassion or understand that people matter and causing them pain and grief and poverty is a BAD thing, as seen by human beings.
Some CEOs and politicians may not be classic sociopaths: they may REMEMBER something about morality and human compassion, but have trained themselves out of it to advance faster and get more power and money.
Some sociopathic ATP members may be offended that I compared them to narcissistic Trump and typical upper managers: quite right, I apologize, mental deficiency is nothing compared to CHOOSING actions that, by what I was taught as a child, richly deserve the punishment of Hell.
Another minor different perspective:
Some
wallow in their power to do ANYthing they want, and seem to
relish pooping on as many people as they can, as publicly as they can, perhaps to make the point that they CAN break any rule and commit any sin yet remain famous and powerful and not shunned by decent people.
(Trump is an extreme example, but he might be like using a black swan as an example.) I worked for one guy that was clearly a sadist, he showed such joy when he used his power to grossly insult and abuse people publicly.
I agree strongly with: "Thank God, most want to do it honestly."
And I know that many want to do it decently, or at least retain their own delusion that they are decent-enough people, entitled to be called MEMBERS of the human race. In my book, you have to act like one to be called one.
But some really consider themselves "above those suckers" that obey the law or religious guidelines. Traditional criminals feel that way: if you give a "sucker" an even break, you yourself must be a sucker. We all know that this kind of criminal or mentally deficient person is the common enemy of all decent mankind, but we seem slow to realize the same thing is true of those who cloak themselves in pretense so they can preen and strut in the hallways of power while selling the country and the future of the middle class to the very rich.
drdawg said: I am not nearly smart enough or wise enough to know the solution to America's and the world's problems.
Neither am I, but you're wise enough to avoid putting forth dubious ideas or complaints without solutions. I figure that if I'm not on a barricade with a shotgun or running for office, I owe my ancestors some kind of civil resistance even if it is only calling a spade a spade.
drdawg said: I am not bitter though. Have no time for that. Disappointed would be a better term. I learned an awful long time ago to not waste my energy and to not waste my time on things I have absolutely no control over or even influence over.
Again, most of that might be wiser than my reactions, but I'm going to keep trying.
Thanks very much for not taking my very bitter words about "the system" as a personal attack on you.
I know that you're the kind of dentist who gave help to poor people without even telling them it was charity. 100% the OPPOSITE of what I criticize in serial murderers, wife and child abusers, politicians and CEOs.
