Example of "Poor" Attitude

Pun Intended.


Here is great example of the general attitude of the "upper middle" class in America:

"We are the Super Rich" by Todd Henderson

Here is some wisdom for those who think this way:

"Advice for the 'Poor Rich'" by Brett Arends


I really don't have sympathy for Mr. Henderson's "inability" to get by. I, too, am not a fan of raising taxes, but part of the reason the government raises taxes to fund its programs is because people like Mr. Henderson are more concerned with themselves and their lifestyles than they are with the common good. The government has programs like unemployment insurance, social security, and food stamps because the upper middle class won't and don't do it themselves. The poor then demand it from politicians and a political party then gains support from those voters for promoting these policies. These programs and taxation then further the incentive to focus only on oneself because "the government is taking my money to take care of the poor."

I think the world would be better off if people like Mr. Henderson took care of their neighbors through charity and service rather than through taxation and governmental programs, but inevitably they don't. If the government dropped the taxes and the programs, they would use their wealth to support their private school, two car, nice house, 'spend whenever you feel the need' lifestyle rather than suffer a little self-sacrifice for the common good. They don't want lower taxes because they don't like government spending, they want lower taxes because they want to be able to spend the money that they make in they way they want to spend it.

Mr. Henderson should take the advice given by Mr. Arends, but what he really needs is a change in attitude. He should take a genuine inventory into what it is he really needs to support himself and his family and reconsider his position as a member of the "poor rich."

Most, if not all, of us are guilty of this attitude at some point in our life. Let us focus not on how "poor" we are in material goods, but rather how much we can help each other in obtaining heavenly goods (such as the virtues). It is up to each of us to change this attitude and encourage others to do the same.