I don’t like the distinction between rich and poor, and then spoiled versus self made, because it actually misses the point. Believe me there are careless, spoiled poor people. The difference is that their latest gadgets and brand (or brand look alike) stuff they have are paid by monthly installments rather than cash.

The idea that someone has to be poor to care about social justice and the community has been well exploited by christianity (you will attain salvation when giving up all material goods). But this perception is not true, some people create a self sense of superiority from giving up all material goods or being poor, which is to me similar to rich kids feeling superior because they have money. It doesn’t really matter whether you are rich or not, it all about personality and education. If you are raised, or naturally tend to be a person who work hard to attain it’s personal goals and still having a strong sense of community and social justice, it doesn’t matter whether your bank account is full or not.

Everyone deserves pursuing abundance and success, it doesn’t make a person less entitled to care about social justice etc.

On the idea of wealth redistribution; I am from Belgium, which is a quite liberal country. I think that the right wing politicians in Belgium would probably be labelled socialist in the US. It comes naturally there to have a strong redistribution system and that health care should be provided to all (when I worked there I think I paid around 200$ per year for my health insurance). Sure, I paid a rather important tax to the State (and that kind of pissed me off a little, considering the amount of hours I worked per week for my salary), but I have never heard someone dying from a disease that can be treated because he/she was denied health coverage (although sadly they starts to copy the US system and privatize health care as well).

When you vote for your political representatives, you choice in what kind of society you wish to live in.

There are no perfect system. The issue of system like in Belgium where a lot is provided by the State is that people expect that the State give them everything (health, job, revenues, housing, etc.), this lessens the entrepreneurial spirit. Some people also prey on the system, while other work hard and see lots of his/her money profit more “lazy” people. In Belgium, it also much more difficult and expensive to start a business than in the US.
I guess the best system would be at the crossroad between the US one and one like in Belgium…

The thing I appreciated in your post is that you pointed out how some people started from the bottom overriding many obstacles to reach success. It shows that it doesn’t matter where you are from and what are the odds against, you can always achieve success and your goals in life if you believe in you and work to achieve whatever goal you have.

Waouw I didn’t expect to write such a long comment! It seems I feel passionate about this issue

I don’t like the distinction between rich and poor, and then spoiled versus self made, because it actually misses the point. Believe me there are careless, spoiled poor people. The difference is that their latest gadgets and brand (or brand look alike) stuff they have are paid by monthly installments rather than cash.

The idea that someone has to be poor to care about social justice and the community has been well exploited by christianity (you will attain salvation when giving up all material goods). But this perception is not true, some people create a self sense of superiority from giving up all material goods or being poor, which is to me similar to rich kids feeling superior because they have money. It doesn’t really matter whether you are rich or not, it all about personality and education. If you are raised, or naturally tend to be a person who work hard to attain it’s personal goals and still having a strong sense of community and social justice, it doesn’t matter whether your bank account is full or not.

Everyone deserves pursuing abundance and success, it doesn’t make a person less entitled to care about social justice etc.

On the idea of wealth redistribution; I am from Belgium, which is a quite liberal country. I think that the right wing politicians in Belgium would probably be labelled socialist in the US. It comes naturally there to have a strong redistribution system and that health care should be provided to all (when I worked there I think I paid around 200$ per year for my health insurance). Sure, I paid a rather important tax to the State (and that kind of pissed me off a little, considering the amount of hours I worked per week for my salary), but I have never heard someone dying from a disease that can be treated because he/she was denied health coverage (although sadly they starts to copy the US system and privatize health care as well).

When you vote for your political representatives, you choice in what kind of society you wish to live in.

There are no perfect system. The issue of system like in Belgium where a lot is provided by the State is that people expect that the State give them everything (health, job, revenues, housing, etc.), this lessens the entrepreneurial spirit. Some people also prey on the system, while other work hard and see lots of his/her money profit more “lazy” people. In Belgium, it also much more difficult and expensive to start a business than in the US.
I guess the best system would be at the crossroad between the US one and one like in Belgium…

The thing I appreciated in your post is that you pointed out how some people started from the bottom overriding many obstacles to reach success. It shows that it doesn’t matter where you are from and what are the odds against, you can always achieve success and your goals in life if you believe in you and work to achieve whatever goal you have.

Waouw I didn’t expect to write such a long comment! It seems I feel passionate about this issue

You’re right: I didn’t really discuss as much on kids of wealthy parents and their behaviors (and, as a result, their ‘stereotypes’) as I probably should have, but I wasn’t defending these kids and their reps as much as I was their parents (or really, those who are MAKING the money). I definitely agree with you that the kids don’t deserve the title of “rich” just because their parents are the ones that went from rags to riches, but in our society, while we are growing up, kids’ economic statuses are basically a reflection of their parents’ (or family’s) economic statuses.

The kids that are born into wealth or have wealthy parents absolutely get a major advantage and more privilege than those who are not – I’m definitely not commenting that this is fair, or that they deserve what they get (i.e. kids born into rich families becoming rich, kids born into poor families not on same playing field as ‘rich kids’) and that’s exactly why I stand for opportunity for all, assisting those who are less privileged, and exactly why I will, hands down, support progressive politics and legislation that acknowledge these issues.

Really, I’m just trying to shed light on an established and generally negative reputation that the “moneymakers” (or small business owners) from Orange County (but really from anywhere) that I don’t feel they always deserve, but I’m definitely not defending lots of their kids who take what they have for granted and live off their parents’ money and expect to.

And in response to your point about the social politics and “the rich”‘s standings and viewpoints, I agree: Orange County is definitely way too conservative for my taste, and I don’t (as you know ) agree at all with their stances on most – if not all – social issues. In Orange County, it is the case that “the rich” are conservative – both socially and fiscally. But, I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily established that “the rich” are right-wing when it comes to social politics. If anything, it has just as much to do with their culture and upbringing that influences their viewpoints on social issues. To make a (really) big generalization, Asians tend to be conservative socially because they come from a more traditional and conservative culture and upbringing. But Asians aren’t necessarily rich; but they’ll probably tend to be more socially conservative. So in this sense, economic status and opinions on social issues don’t quite coincide with one another.

I guess in Orange County it’s more the aspect that the majority of the community are WASPy (as I’ve stated) and they also happen to be very rich – and thus we have the “rich conservative Republicans” (although I also know there are libertarians here as well but obviously not enough according to the last election!).

I’m definitely always thinking about “my roots” (haha) especially since I have always had such a cynical and negative of “home,” but regardless, I’m glad you engage in discussion with me!

You’re right: I didn’t really discuss as much on kids of wealthy parents and their behaviors (and, as a result, their ‘stereotypes’) as I probably should have, but I wasn’t defending these kids and their reps as much as I was their parents (or really, those who are MAKING the money). I definitely agree with you that the kids don’t deserve the title of “rich” just because their parents are the ones that went from rags to riches, but in our society, while we are growing up, kids’ economic statuses are basically a reflection of their parents’ (or family’s) economic statuses.

The kids that are born into wealth or have wealthy parents absolutely get a major advantage and more privilege than those who are not – I’m definitely not commenting that this is fair, or that they deserve what they get (i.e. kids born into rich families becoming rich, kids born into poor families not on same playing field as ‘rich kids’) and that’s exactly why I stand for opportunity for all, assisting those who are less privileged, and exactly why I will, hands down, support progressive politics and legislation that acknowledge these issues.

Really, I’m just trying to shed light on an established and generally negative reputation that the “moneymakers” (or small business owners) from Orange County (but really from anywhere) that I don’t feel they always deserve, but I’m definitely not defending lots of their kids who take what they have for granted and live off their parents’ money and expect to.

And in response to your point about the social politics and “the rich”‘s standings and viewpoints, I agree: Orange County is definitely way too conservative for my taste, and I don’t (as you know ) agree at all with their stances on most – if not all – social issues. In Orange County, it is the case that “the rich” are conservative – both socially and fiscally. But, I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily established that “the rich” are right-wing when it comes to social politics. If anything, it has just as much to do with their culture and upbringing that influences their viewpoints on social issues. To make a (really) big generalization, Asians tend to be conservative socially because they come from a more traditional and conservative culture and upbringing. But Asians aren’t necessarily rich; but they’ll probably tend to be more socially conservative. So in this sense, economic status and opinions on social issues don’t quite coincide with one another.

I guess in Orange County it’s more the aspect that the majority of the community are WASPy (as I’ve stated) and they also happen to be very rich – and thus we have the “rich conservative Republicans” (although I also know there are libertarians here as well but obviously not enough according to the last election!).

I’m definitely always thinking about “my roots” (haha) especially since I have always had such a cynical and negative of “home,” but regardless, I’m glad you engage in discussion with me!

You make the distinction between those that built their wealth and those that were born into wealth. While this distinction is appropriate and completely relevant…it’s not the whole story (as I’m sure you’re also aware of). You touched on the kids of wealthy parents but it might deserve a little more attention?

I get that each family must be looked at individually but say the parents that made the money from the ground up have kids that don’t appreciate the money they are given. Those kids have a much better chance of succeeding in life (money-wise). So, yes…their parents might have gone from rags to riches but that doesn’t mean the kids deserve the same title. In some cases, the cycle continues and the rich get rich and poor get poor. I know this is a major generalization and it isn’t true for all cases…but you have to admit that the kids of wealthy parents have a slight to major advantage over other kids.

Also, “the rich” get a bad rep not just for their monetary wealth (i.e you mentioned fiscal policy). As we both know, they get a bad rep for their social politics…ESPECIALLY in conservative hotspot of orange county. Because I care more if people are socially or conservatively liberal more than anything….where their money comes from doesn’t always matter. Ultimately, it’s what you do with that money that really matters, right?

I’m not trying to target you, Roz…I know that what I discuss above is somewhat relevant to you…but it’s definitely not meant to be directed at you

I’m glad you’re still critically engaged in thinking about your beginnings and the place you now call home. It’s important…I mean, it’s funny how we all think about our own lives… because even though I’m NOT poor, I still think of myself as “poor-er” because of my childhood. It’s strange, it really is.

You make the distinction between those that built their wealth and those that were born into wealth. While this distinction is appropriate and completely relevant…it’s not the whole story (as I’m sure you’re also aware of). You touched on the kids of wealthy parents but it might deserve a little more attention?

I get that each family must be looked at individually but say the parents that made the money from the ground up have kids that don’t appreciate the money they are given. Those kids have a much better chance of succeeding in life (money-wise). So, yes…their parents might have gone from rags to riches but that doesn’t mean the kids deserve the same title. In some cases, the cycle continues and the rich get rich and poor get poor. I know this is a major generalization and it isn’t true for all cases…but you have to admit that the kids of wealthy parents have a slight to major advantage over other kids.

Also, “the rich” get a bad rep not just for their monetary wealth (i.e you mentioned fiscal policy). As we both know, they get a bad rep for their social politics…ESPECIALLY in conservative hotspot of orange county. Because I care more if people are socially or conservatively liberal more than anything….where their money comes from doesn’t always matter. Ultimately, it’s what you do with that money that really matters, right?

I’m not trying to target you, Roz…I know that what I discuss above is somewhat relevant to you…but it’s definitely not meant to be directed at you

I’m glad you’re still critically engaged in thinking about your beginnings and the place you now call home. It’s important…I mean, it’s funny how we all think about our own lives… because even though I’m NOT poor, I still think of myself as “poor-er” because of my childhood. It’s strange, it really is.