Greed is our downfall

[dreamyxo]

It's a long video but it's the truth.

http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshh7V47RyN6GVJ82710

[potluck6]

yes, i started watching at almost 11 at night so will come back tomorrow to see all of it but was this current i never listen to politicians but him i will listen to tommorow 

[healthfreedom]

Greed wil be the downfall of many souls. Greed actually causes people to hate and mistreat one another.

[Abrupt]

Greed is certainly an unworthy characteristic to posses, but I trust greed; I understand greed; greed is predictable when recognized.  The biggest problem I see today is that people cannot recognize greed when they are looking at it.  They look at the corporations that are greedy for their profit margins (as they are designed to be and expected to be) and they can see that because it is obvious and is pertinent to the nature of business.  When they look at the social programs in America (welfare, foodstamps, etc), though, they think of them as charitable programs instead of recognizing them as insidious instruments of greed (by the politicians implementing and controlling them, not necessarily by those receiving them).  If one cannot even recognize greed, what does it matter discussing it?

[Falconer02]

Greed is certainly an unworthy characteristic to posses, but I trust greed; I understand greed; greed is predictable when recognized.  The biggest problem I see today is that people cannot recognize greed when they are looking at it.  They look at the corporations that are greedy for their profit margins (as they are designed to be and expected to be) and they can see that because it is obvious and is pertinent to the nature of business.  When they look at the social programs in America (welfare, foodstamps, etc), though, they think of them as charitable programs instead of recognizing them as insidious instruments of greed (by the politicians implementing and controlling them, not necessarily by those receiving them).  If one cannot even recognize greed, what does it matter discussing it?

Well put, though I will say that I have known people on welfare, foostamps, ss, etc. and they needed it due to their current situations and I honestly had no problem knowing that part of my money was going toward them. Living in cities is expensive as hell (especially nowadays). A friend of mine was one of those delivery guys that drives their bikes around the city-- he mainly delivered food for a few places. He accidentally was injured pretty badly and was out of work for a while. No insurance because he can't afford it and nobody offers it. It was just this huge mess for him-- he's only making 17,000+/- a year for what I deem an extremely rigorous and dangerous job, so any form of gov't aid he got I have no quarrel with. However I've heard that 30%+ of welfare is illegitimate so I'm with you on those cases-- anyone who's just being a lazy parasite can go screw themselves.

As far as 'greedy people/corporations' go, sure! If they work hard, they deserve those margins. However I've also known people that have it good due to a complete lack of hardwork-- rich parents raising spoiled kids and the like. One guy I went to HS with got into the stock market and hit it big due to his dad watching over his investments. He's constantly taking expensive vacations, living in Trump Tower, spending $ left and right, etc. and he has the nerve to complain about Obama taxing the tax bracket he falls into (we're talking 7-digit range here). I just wish people would realize that even if the gov't does tax the rich a bit more, the majority will still have plenty of cash. It's unfortunate that these scenarios can't be black and white-- sometimes hard work ends you up on the streets and little effort gets you everything. The world's a b1+ch sometimes.

[Abrupt]

Well put, though I will say that I have known people on welfare, foostamps, ss, etc. and they needed it due to their current situations and I honestly had no problem knowing that part of my money was going toward them. Living in cities is expensive as hell (especially nowadays). A friend of mine was one of those delivery guys that drives their bikes around the city-- he mainly delivered food for a few places. He accidentally was injured pretty badly and was out of work for a while. No insurance because he can't afford it and nobody offers it. It was just this huge mess for him-- he's only making 17,000+/- a year for what I deem an extremely rigorous and dangerous job, so any form of gov't aid he got I have no quarrel with. However I've heard that 30%+ of welfare is illegitimate so I'm with you on those cases-- anyone who's just being a lazy parasite can go screw themselves.

As far as 'greedy people/corporations' go, sure! If they work hard, they deserve those margins. However I've also known people that have it good due to a complete lack of hardwork-- rich parents raising spoiled kids and the like. One guy I went to HS with got into the stock market and hit it big due to his dad watching over his investments. He's constantly taking expensive vacations, living in Trump Tower, spending $ left and right, etc. and he has the nerve to complain about Obama taxing the tax bracket he falls into (we're talking 7-digit range here). I just wish people would realize that even if the gov't does tax the rich a bit more, the majority will still have plenty of cash. It's unfortunate that these scenarios can't be black and white-- sometimes hard work ends you up on the streets and little effort gets you everything. The world's a b1+ch sometimes.

Yeah that we all know people who use it and honestly need it is part of the reason I don't like the discretion and control of it being handled by the government (well not in the fashion it is now).  Few of us would see a person starve or suffer and we would even be willing to allow for some abuse of funds to have the reassuring knowledge that those we know that do need it get it.  It is that peace of mind that lets us sleep at night and not carry guilt.  I also don't like it being wielded as a political weapon where the instant you suggest cracking down on abuse you are accused of all sorts of terrible deeds and "starving grandma" as I heard mentioned in another thread recently.  With politicians seeing they can use this as a weapon they will encourage the expansion of the program and they will have no motivation to seek out the fraud and waste.  I would rather see this handled by the private sector and possibly employing those that need to manage as many of the affairs as they can.  In order to ensure a certain level of participation the normal amounts taken out of taxes towards this purpose could be put up as a special tax break (if needed).  You may have other ideas as well but the politicians need to have much less control over it than they do.

I know some of the types you mention.  I wonder what satisfaction could come from getting all the breaks though.  I know for myself that overcoming obstacles and defeating 'things' fits to my personality and gives me much enjoyment.  I think men are wired in a way that we need to build/defeat/conquer/overcome stuff to be fully satisfied.  With it too easy I would lose that pleasure and I think I would feel somewhat empty and incomplete.  Some of the most enjoyable times in my life have been facing a tough challenge that I could barely meet with about as much effort as was needed.  I didn't even have to overcome all of these either it was the contest and the feeling of being alive in the moment that I enjoyed (of course victory was better but it wasn't better if it was easy as it was also empty).

[nadarama]

That is so the truth!

[liz562]

i agree

[tinajacksonville]

Everyone one has some level of greed. It may not be life consuming but it is a downfall in humanity in general.

[vp44]

Everyone one has some level of greed. It may not be life consuming but it is a downfall in humanity in general.

I will agree with your thoughts on this. I feel that same way. Greed to me also is another form of conceited.

[kords21]

I see Greed as being a good motivator, but it can be a cruel master if you allow everything to be about greed. What these wall st fat cats is not greed, it's money addiction. It doesn't matter how big their bank accounts are, they want more and more. They're addicts, not greedy.

[momoney555]

Greed is what got our country into the economic mess it is currently in.  No one wants government to completely be in control of everything but without government sanctions and regulations on certain things, the powerful and greedy would devour everything, contribute nothing, and leave the legitamately needy to fall through the cracks and just dissappear.