The other day at work we were having a conversation which started out about health care. Ultimately it was that if you had a "creme da la creme" plan in the U.S. you could get steak and wine at the hospital, meanwhile the statistics showed how many people died or went bankrupt trying to get treatment. This led to a conversation about rich and poor and the seemingly over indulgence of society in general.
I am fortunate to have a good job, comfortable life, friends, family and health. So I am a happy camper! If I had a wish, it would be for everyone to have the same. Basically have a society where everyone is middle class. No poverty and no 1%. I know this is idealistic but hey, its my dream. Sometimes though I wonder if this is really how many people think? I watch people in the world sell their soul for an once of fame, put themselves in dire straights for stuff that will impress people. I see people aspire to be in work positions not because it's what they want to do but because they feel it will give them power and status. Maybe this is really human nature and I am the odd one.
When we discussed this further, one of my co-workers said that he is comfortable, but if he won a lottery he wouldn't have a problem playing polo at his mansion and not really giving a shit about others in society. Hey, he was being honest.
Today a lady on Dr. Phil had a 1 million dollar bar mitzvah for her daughter because she could. No mention of sharing some of the wealth with charities or doing something useful with their money. It was just more, more, more. More expensive cars, more botox, more houses and more servants. I can't help but feel like the earth is going to self implode one day from all of our over indulgence and greed.
I really hope the next generation does a better job figuring out what is really important in life than mine has.
Great post. I don't know if we would ever get to that kind of society. However I do think people could do a lot more for people in need or those less fortunate. A great example is a few friends of ours were told of a few families that were less fortunate. Single mom with a few kids and even a single dad with 5 kids! A bunch of them got together and spent around $5,000 getting gift cards for food, gas, toys for the kids, essentials, etc... just gave them a Christmas they've never had. Now THAT is something I've wanted to do and plan on doing in the future and I believe people should take note of those kinds of things. I'm not saying everyone needs to spend $1000's but volunteering, donating a few dollars, etc... are things that go a long way and people that are doing well should help out their fellow man. That's my two cents anyway.
ReplyDeleteInstead of wanting more, we could do with a lot less to be honest.
I agree Shaun, that's it exactly. Maybe there are more people out there that do good like your friends, I think that often doesn't get the kind of attention it should. If you watch TV and read the news it is the other half that is over represented. It starts to feel like that is the norm but I am sure there are a lot of good people out there too : )
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment and have a great one.
Unfortunately bad news sells and people would rather see the worst in the world than the good people do. Sad really.
ReplyDeleteBut it all starts with you and what you do and what you can help others do.