Hard work equates to being wealthy since when?
77if hard work equals wealth, well.....
not a political rant, but still a rant
I try not to do political rants anymore because, well, that is the politicians and wealthy business owners world, not mine. Recently the candidates (you guess who) and their speeches have driven home just how much they are out of touch with reality. They do know reality, but it is only the reality of their own making, not the reality of a real world scenario.
While this is not a political rant, so to speak, it is a rant about how some people view reality. I recently read a piece written by a person who has money, probably, and more than likely never went without a dime in their life. If they ever did go without, I must say their memory is short at best then.
It was a piece about 'how can liberals....blah, blah, blah' and then proceeded to say how our country has been ruined by liberals and poor people. Really? Do tell!
most of the world's land is worked by women
if only hard word did equal wealth
"In reality, 97% of the world's land is worked by women. Yet nearly 100% of that same land is owned by men." Anonymous quote
When I read about 'hard work equals wealth' I simply want to toss my lunch. Reading those statements trigger my natural gag reflex and makes my stomach churn like no other statements can. If it were true, wealth comes from hard work, then I guess nearly every woman in the entire world would be and should be, fabulously wealthy. But of course, those of us in the real world know this is not true. Why? Well wealth is not always, in fact these days, hardly ever, the result of hard work. Most of the time it is about exploitation, especially exploitation of the working poor. Yes, I understand that for many, working and the word poor, leaves a bad taste in their mouth.
When people say 'those people who work in poverty know what the score is' I truly feel like slapping some sense into them. What do those working poor know? They know the reality of being lifted from grinding poverty working a land that produces little income, to now working for a corporation, being sold (maybe by themselves even) into another form of grinding poverty, it is called modern slavery.
no such thing as Supermom
no supermoms in reality
"Every mother is a working woman." Another anonymous quote
I love this quote because as a Social Worker, I had this quote on my car as a bumper sticker. I cannot tell you all the women who read it and approached me with a comment. Women would say: "love that sticker' or give me the thumbs up and some would say: "Right on Sistah!" But women did appreciate the quote and they also got it. Not one man, in all the time I posessed that sticker, ever commented on it at all. What do you suppose the social implications of that is?
workers in a Chinese factory
what about the American gadget makers?
Now this brings us to the notions of people out of touch with reality saying: "Well what about guys like Steve Jobs who got rich from hard work alone?" My question has to be: "Got rich by who's hard work alone?" I still maintain that no one, count em, no one, got rich or to a position of wealth all alone. They had to use other people's monies, someone to buy their products, usually by making those products cheaply and selling them at a huge profit.
Look at the Chinese workers, being exploited in our modern times. A time that has not seen the likes of this mass slave labor probably since our Civil War era. Is this living for those workers? Is placing safety nets off of rooftops outside of Chinese factories so workers cannot fling themselves off the roof and commit suicide, your idea of 'living?' Is being crammed into cramped dorm rooms, four to a room, with strangers, not allowed to go home each day, and forced to buy their personal items from the Same company, living? Is being stuck at your station, much like we force chickens to live in cages to produce eggs, and force calves to live in little boxes to produce veal, your idea of living? Is a 34 hour work day at 33 cents an hour the way You care to live? If so, then, my Friend, we have vastly different ideas of 'living the life.'
If Chinese workers try to form unions, they face a 12 year prison sentence. But from slave dorm rooms to a prison cell does not look much different to me.
those damned poor people dragging America down
Really? Well some states have decided to drug test poor people who apply for Welfare benefits. As a Social Worker, I must remind all of you that the term Welfare is not a dirty word, the term means 'to fare well' but too many politicians, trying to drive a wedge and create class warfare, will make it seem like a dirty word.
Florida enacted that drug test law and know what they found out? They discovered that only 2% of the poor applying for benefits tested positive. Well well, the other 98% were clean as a whistle. Wish we could say the same for politicians. Ha! Yet, in Indiana, when other politicians included the law for legislators to be drug tested in order to keep their jobs, that bill was defeated and one of the legislators who voted against it in Indiana, was the very one who proposed that nice, tidy bill. Gee, they have something they care to tell us?
as the saying goes
So saying that hard work alone produces wealth is like saying: 'Famine and hunger is caused by lack of food." Also a myth, when, in fact, our Earth produces more than enough food for all. The problem, creating hunger, is exploitation of food, food not getting where it is supposed to get to and food sitting in storage bins of political entities and rotting because, I suppose it's better to sit and rot than to be in the bellies of starving children.
So, to sum it up, you can understand, I hope, why all of those statements trigger my natural gag reflex. thank you for reading and comments are more than welcome here.
Good advice.
What is your opinion?
Is wealth the result of hard work alone?
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You might like this quote,"When a man tells you that he got rich through hard work, ask him whose." - Don Marquis
or
"If hard work was such a wonderful thing, surely the rich would have kept it to themselves." - Lane Kirkland
Thanks for SHARING your views an this topic. While I agree that hard work alone does not equate to wealth, I also think that hard work is the foundation where all good things can happen. Hard work, creativity and good karma combined with a dash of good luck and willingness to take a risk can lead to amazing opportunities. Immigrants still come to the USA to life the dream. There is still a world view that hard work here can get you somewhere and although there are many hurdles to jump and problems to fix, I hope that dream never disappears.
Hello, BobbiRant,
This is a useful, interesting and very informative article.
However, I must say that a thinking person would not ever contend that hard work alone leads to wealth.
Thus, to imply that there are folks out there who are misleading others by telling them something along the line, "Work hard and you will get rich," is a very misleading implication.
That is true because when it comes to "how-to-get-rich books" alone, the message is almost always something like the following:
In order to amass wealth, one must not only work hard, he/she must also work smart.
In fact, there are literally millions of examples of people who went from rags to riches by working both hard and smart. Additionally, there are a great many examples of people who went from rags to riches by working smart alone.
I know what I am talking about because not only was I very poor when I was growing up, all of the children I grew up with were very poor.
However, today, many, if not most, of us are quite successful and financially secure -- and that is largely because each of us worked very hard while also working smart.
Additionally, way back in late 1950's and early 1960's, when I was a youngster, I attended George Washington Carver Junior High School in Los Angeles, and everyone of the students was black and poor.
Above the entrance to the school was a large sign that read, "Never Be Satisfied," which was a quote of advice given by Dr. Carver, who was one of the most successful American black persons in history.
Well, I and a whole lot of the other kids in that school were inspired by that "old saying" -- it inspired us to shoot for the stars.
And that was exactly what we did. Even though we were all very poor and constantly subjected to discrimination, segregation, prejudice and other forms of racism, we pulled ourselves up to very high places -- and that was because we refused to remain where we were.
Finally, I must say that over the years, I have personally helped a considerable number of people to lift themselves out of poverty and even to become rich. And, essentially, I have always accomplished that by guiding people to work both hard and smart.
Yes this is a parable of sick proportions at all levels of our society. From Corporate execs claiming they are worth as much as all the employees below them, to pieces of paper that are worthless in terms of knowledge and application. Based on greed we assume your position based on wealth makes you an expert in terms of helping others such as a psychiatrist who really gives a hoot about your problem but loves your money and their pay check. A society more concerned with money and not solving problems or improving life for others. The doctor condemned the medicine man and his tonics to only milk the system and sell their own false hope devoid of any compassion for the lives of others. We judge your position in life not on worth or need but control over others of a false system that separates wealth and status. This is why the meek will inherit the Earth and why a rich man must pass through a needle to learn that what you do in your life and onto others will count and judge your soul.
Hello Bobbi ~ Can we vote up more than once? Because I just did! I'm so glad this wasn't a political rant. Very much enjoyed your perspective. Blessings, Debby
diogenes: I'm glad that I was able to address this issue. Yes indeed, poor people, or any of us really who are not rich, are not considered worth much in today's society. When, in reality, a person with nothing, like a homeless person and a person with $1 million in their bank account are both worth the same to me. Both lives are precious and the rich person does not have it over the other in my eyes. Thanks so much for commenting.
GNelson: You were right, I do like those quotes, very much in fact. Thanks for sharing them with us. Thanks so much for commenting.
Tonu1973: I suppose to the bootlegger of the 1920's making and selling black market, bathtub gin that could blind people, or the person running a still, it is hard work. During the Depression it had to be shipped and sold in illegal nightclubs too. I suppose some measure of hard work pays off, but it depends what kind of business one is willing to do. Thanks so much for commenting and welcome to my hub.
feenix: Hello feenix, good to see you again. Yes, some measure of hard work exists but I am supposing that we all have different ideas about 'working smart' I know I do anyway. The bigger the payoff the larger the tax breaks that do not exist for far too many though. I know you are essentially a good man and I am glad you have enjoyed a measure of helping some get ahead. Thanks so much for commenting.
SanXuary: You make some very compelling points in your comment. I think you have hit it right square on the head. Rich do not have it over the poor in the end though. All are just as dead and we know riches does not buy one more second of time on one's deathbed. I love the picture of the Egyptian tomb that says: "Egyptians were buried with silver and gold. But they were Still dead." How true. Thanks so much for commenting and welcome to my hub.
Debby Bruck: LOL Thanks for the vote up. I try not to do political hubs anymore, we get enough politics on the TV and Internet news and I'm a bit sick of politics. Thanks so much for commenting.
Most jobs that require physical labour where you are exhausted at the end of the work day have a much smaller pay check than people who sit behind a desk in front of a computer all day and they in turn make less money than they people who co-ordinate everything.
There are exceptions to this as far as self-employed people are concerned (they tend to not make much regardless of the type of job since everything goes back into the business), but in general physical labourers make the least. But they work the hardest.
Hello, Bobbi,
I apologize for my "rant." My mouth (fingers in this case)went into motion before my brain was in gear.
And quite frankly, I realized that I was off base, after reading SanXuary's comment.
I wish every person alive would read this. Where would we be without the unions?? Working in a sweat shop for fifty cents a day and starving. This is what we will see in the near future if we don't open our eyes. The Gop is playing the religion card better than ever before, claiming religious values must be at the top of the list, what hypocritical liars. They would sell their Grandmother into slavery for a good hefty donation. The most difficult aspect of this side show is the fact that women are voting for this party, when every right we have fought for is in danger of being overturned in the name of righteousness. Well i could go on but needless to say i have probably stepped on some toes, but maybe at least the women will stop and remember when life was good, everyone owned a home, everyone had a job that took care of their families, unions fought for womens rights......
Your article struck me on so many levels, Bobbi, I am have great difficulty assembling and organizing my thoughts. I am outraged by the Mitt Romney's and Newt's of the world. Hard work and abiding by the rules was the way I conducted my long history in the workplace. Now unemployed for the past 1-1/2 years, considered a dinosaur in the corporate world, I am appalled by the low standards of customer service I receive from many of the young working population. I would NEVER have treated customers, vendors or clients with the callous, rude, arrogant "how dare you bother me" attitude I am privy to as a customer. I email kudos when earned and tell businesses why I will no longer patronize their establishment when deserved.
Last night I saw an excerpt from an interview by a former 60-Minutes personality, now a news reporter with CBS. The numb skull he was interviewing was part of one of America's biggest, corrupt set-ups, the foreclosure atrocity. He was hired to forge the banker's signature on improperly executed foreclosure documents to the tune of 4,000 per day. His complaint was that he was underpaid @ $10/hour. His lame defense was he didn't know that he was doing anything wrong. I suppose he was "just following orders". Personally, I don't believe there is an adult with a brain that isn't aware that forgery is illegal! He's ON TAPE, why isn't he in jail? And, the same goes for the wealthy bankers, who stole homes from American families that worked hard and paid their mortgages faithfully for many years, then lost their jobs through no fault of their own and the bankers then sold their homes on the courthouse steps and made more money! Not one corrupt banker will ever see jail time, because they are wealthy. They have government backing, changing the laws and covering their asses. The $1,500 penance, to be given to those that had everything ripped out from under them, are supposed to be grateful? Those few that will qualify for refinancing (too little, too late for many) is the equivalent of pissing on a forest fire, is a tactic designed for the purpose of exonerating these criminals? The sad thing is the poor (formerly middle-class)are too overwhelmed to see past the nose on their face. The poor have no power, because money bestows power. Instead, we are supposed to be uplifted and feel lucky to compete for the $8.00/hour jobs that employers are offering. It makes me sick, BobbiRant.
Your article is right on and makes me feel like I'm not as dumb as Washington D.C. believes the poor are. Hard work might have given our ancestors an opportunity for the American Dream, but today opportunity and the American Dream are just a memory in the history books.
I have stood up to complete evil in the work place twice and paid for it both times. One was discrimination against another employee and the other was an attempt to force me to do false paper work similar but not the same as the article posted above. In both cases I lost my job and received nothing but their personal hate. Far worst was done to me on one of these jobs and far more then you could ever imagine. I might have won my soul but those who do these things usually go unpunished and rewarded.
SanXuary, Although you suffered terribly for taking the high road, in the end your integrity is a rare, honorable quality that cannot be faked or claimed by those that robbed you. Ironically, the workplace lost the value of your conscience. In the end, although usually not immediately, greed and corruption catches up and consumes the bastards. Our gov't is a prime example. Many innocents have been duped, families left homeless and children malnourished. The pain is palpable. If their is a God, I believe the shame of those responsible will bring them down to the level of those they have destroyed. I still believe in truth, and the adage that, eventually, we reap what we sow. Thank you
FloraBreenRobison: I'm afraid you are correct. Also human services jobs pay less too because apparently human services are not valued very highly either. More's the pity. Thanks so much for commenting.
feenix: Hello again feenix. No need to apologize because everyone has a different opinion. I didn't look at your comment as a rant at all. I invite and love exchanges of ideas even if those ideas are not always mine, no need to feel any other way than the fact you have a different opinion. That is quite alright on my hubs. You are welcome to my hubs anytime. Thanks so much for your comment.
always exploring: Hi there! Yes it would be nice to experience a more humane system, but I'm afraid in this human built and run world, that it is what it is. I like your comment and I thank you for sharing your thoughts. *hugs* :0)
Amy Becherer: I must agree and it seems that ethics have all but vanished from the workplaces as we used to know it. It seems betting against people with over priced mortgages and swindling people has become like a game for some companies. So sad but true. Thanks so much for commenting.
Amy Becherer: I like your answer. I do believe there is a God and I also believe that yes, this bad system will be fixed in due time. So those who do not care for others will, in turn, be not cared for by God in the end. Great comment, thanks.
Bobbi, I always hesitate to bring the very personal mention of God into any discussion. I am as disillustioned by organized religion as I am with the govt't, but I do believe in God and I do pray. At this point, I pray a lot. Thank you for understanding.
Amy Becherer: Yes, belief is a very personal thing, but I, for one, believe. Just because some humans are bad representatives does not keep me from believing. I do understand fully. *hugs*
Stated so very well Bobbi. anyone that buys Chinese factory goods for the most part better keep shut about any kind of slavery in history and its one thing to be given cell phones with cameras at tax payer expense and another to be out of work cause there isn't any work. Vote er up.
Alastar Packer: You have certainly said a mouthful with this comment. I have to agree with you on all you have said. Thanks so much for stopping by to comment. Always good to see you.
BobbiRant,
This is a great hub. I am tired of conservative politicians saying hard work= great wealth. Your example of women doing farm work is a great illustration of the lie that is continually peddled by the powerful. There also many other examples, like being a ditch digger,waitress, or a house framer. All of these jobs leave the people who do them dog tired at the end of the day, but occupations like that are the lowest paying.
Glad someone else can see the injustice in our current system. Voted up!
Hi Bobbirant,
You have raised very good topics of debate. Not a single politician has been able to justify the answer to the above questions. I wish hard work equaled wealth then the laborious workers would not be dealing with poverty and issues that metropolitan people find it hard to digest.
Voted way up as interesting and useful. I pray and hope we find answers to the above rather than just commenting and praising each other (pun intended)
In the end I did make a difference I just never profited form it or deserved their condemnation. Several employees who really never knew the whole story actually expressed their admiration for what I did do. Most shocking are those who would never believe my story or that it could ever happen to them. I never believed it until it happened to me. It was truly fight or flight and they gave me no choice but to fight for no good reason. They could have left me alone but they did everything to include breaking every law except to pay a hit man. I never knew how many fires these people were putting out and that I was in the middle of a fire storm. I actually believed that I was doing my job and that they honestly wanted to solve such issues. In the end their own arrogance and belief that people will become cowards and do their bidding failed. When I decided to fight back the game was over and even now I will continue to fight every chance I get if afforded the opportunity. I could only have the job to begin with if I agreed to sign a arbitration agreement. In order to tell the truth and my story I decided not to take it any where, knowing full well the little people like me will never win. If the Supreme Court can tell 2.5 million women to fight a Corporation alone I wonder what chance a single person has. I often wonder why we are so desperate to work for evil Companies and why we spend our money there when everyone knows who they are. I wonder why 2.5 million women assume that the place that they work at is the only one that needs fixed. If anything permission has been given to anyone who desires to profit from discrimination to do so. More and more we are being forced to accept nothing or to live on the street. We give up our privacy and our subject to rules outside the work place. Even are credit can be revealed and when they pay nothing you have to wonder why they even care to look. All power is vested in the Corporation and you our its slave if they desire to make you one. This is not a condemnation of all Corporation because there are some decent ones but the why do those that violate the right to live allowed to go unpunished?
Sooner28: Hello! I am glad so many people stopped by to comment and so many others, like yourself, also see the injustices in the comments doled out by some unrealistic politicians. Politicians are living in La La Land and act like they hate us all while Still wanting votes. Thanks so much for commenting and welcome to my hub.
I think La La land is their perpetual home! Ah well, politicians will be politicians I suppose.
excellent hub with such beautiful and thought provoking questions.
hard work does not necessarily equal attaining wealth. there are some smart people who don't work hard and still gain lots of wealth...call it destiny or just sheer smartness.
wealth has her own way to come to us...so let's just keep trodding our path towards hard work.
voted up indeed.
diogenes 3 months ago
Ha! Bobbi...I was waiting for someone to address this.
The spoof that hard work results in wealth (etc) is a myth perpertrated by the already wealthy so they can control the "worker bees" to strive even harder in enriching them (the bosses, owners, administration, whatever).
Huge riches are gained almost solely by manipulation and theft; either by those in charge today, or their pirate families (industrialists, etc) generationations back..)
Some wise heard said the first thousand dollars of any fortune was gained by crime. He would have probably said 10,000 today.
You cannot ....(in nearly every case) become one of the wealthy elite without climbing on the backs of others. These people form a cast as strong as any criminal gang (look at the Oxbridge ruling class in the UK!).
And we fools - the "Ragged Trousered Philanthrophists" support these barons and moneyes tyrants!
Just look at the British royal family. Their cellars are suffed with treasures stolen from all around the world and brought back for these bloody pirates!
And still sheiks and others bestow then with gifts...all for future favours of course.
We need that rock from space and start all over
Bob