Thread: War on Greed

A funny look at a wealthy person:

War on Greed: Starring Henry Kravis

The problem is not greed... it's a system that teaches people it's okay to let somebody else take care of you.

Why did that man let the people he worked for control his retirement fund? I personally refuse to take employer-sponsored healthcare and if I get a 401(k) the first thing I do is split it. It's a bit more expensive for me, but the decision of what to do with my money is mine. Not the government's and certainly not some corporate behemoth's.

Originally Posted by Dr House

The problem is not greed... it's a system that teaches people it's okay to let somebody else take care of you.

Why did that man let the people he worked for control his retirement fund? I personally refuse to take employer-sponsored healthcare and if I get a 401(k) the first thing I do is split it. It's a bit more expensive for me, but the decision of what to do with my money is mine. Not the government's and certainly not some corporate behemoth's.

Help me out with what you are saying here. I know its late so maybe I'm not getting something:
What do you mean by splitting your 401k? My options are to contribute or not. I can control what funds my money is put into and when to buy and sell but I have no split option? What do you mean by that?

You don't take the healthcare insurance that your employer offers? Do you not carry health insurance then?

You are right, the decision is yours. No one is telling you otherwise. Not having insurance is a bit foolish is it not, unless you are independently wealthy.

Originally Posted by Dr House

The problem is not greed... it's a system that teaches people it's okay to let somebody else take care of you.

Why did that man let the people he worked for control his retirement fund? I personally refuse to take employer-sponsored healthcare and if I get a 401(k) the first thing I do is split it. It's a bit more expensive for me, but the decision of what to do with my money is mine. Not the government's and certainly not some corporate behemoth's.

I'd have to strongly disagree, our system is democracy. If our democratically elected representatives determine that the state or a corporation will play a role in supporting our lifestyle or our family's lifestyle, then that's how the cookie crumbles... There's no edict from God saying one cannot rely upon others to make it through the day/a lifetime...

No. But you can't expect a guarantee, either. Not if you're gonna sit back and let others do the work.

Originally Posted by Morpheus

I'd have to strongly disagree, our system is democracy. If our democratically elected representatives determine that the state or a corporation will play a role in supporting our lifestyle or our family's lifestyle, then that's how the cookie crumbles... There's no edict from God saying one cannot rely upon others to make it through the day/a lifetime...

What you are describing is a tyranny of the majority. And we are not a democracy, we are a federal republic that protects the rights of the minority.

Originally Posted by Zarathustra

What you are describing is a tyranny of the majority. And we are not a democracy, we are a federal republic that protects the rights of the minority.

I know the right loves to go on about how this country is a republic and not a democracy. But I just find this to be a bunch of hogwash. There's certainly been a trend toward greater democratization in the country, pretty much since the ink dried on the document (the Constitution).

I've even heard that James Madision said that the difference between Republic and Democracy is semantic (I think he used Republic when he was trying to sell the Constitution to all the states), there for all intensive purposes the same. I've been trying to Google this up, but not finding it...

How is this Henry Kavis's fault? What is this crap? That woman's husband set up his pension foolishly.

Originally Posted by Morpheus

I know the right loves to go on about how this country is a republic and not a democracy. But I just find this to be a bunch of hogwash. There's certainly been a trend toward greater democratization in the country, pretty much since the ink dried on the document (the Constitution).

I've even heard that James Madision said that the difference between Republic and Democracy is semantic (I think he used Republic when he was trying to sell the Constitution to all the states), there for all intensive purposes the same. I've been trying to Google this up, but not finding it...

I think you need to review the text of the Pledge of Alleigance.:waving:

So what. People have a good idea of what the income in a given profession is before they go into it. But, I think that teachers should be paid more so that it would attract more qulaified candidates. I have seen teachers who are the most idiotic people and do not even understand the subject they teach.

The credit card thing mentioned is also repulsive. Personal responsibily. If you do not have the money then do not spend it. Only the government is stupid enough to do that.

His tax breaks are based on reinvesting them into new business ventures. Simple economics.

I am glad we have uber-rich people out there. They start businesses and create jobs. I work for one of them in my industry. Because he was smart enough to begin a business and grow it, he built a company and I have a job as a result.

I see this silly movie as envy. Sure, he probably doesn't need this much 'stuff', but in a free country & open market we are all free to do as we please within the framework of the law.

Sorry to here about people losing their jobs, but this is a part of the business cycle. People will have to find another job or acquire another marketable skill in order to compensate for the job loss. If a company is not adapting & changing it is doomed to die and then everyone associated with that company is out of a job rather than simply the ones who were cut when the company became more efficient on order to compete.

I hope ya'll have a good night.