[lbo-talk] The Reluctant Wealthy

[B.]

Carl Remick wrote:
> [Here's a good one:  It seems today's
winner-take-all plutocrats are motivated not by greed
but by the desire to benefit society.  In fact, it
appears they pursue wealth only "reluctantly,"
believing that they can serve society better by being
wheeler-dealers and philanthropists than, say,
physicians, researchers or academics.  What largesse! 
I feel honored to be alive in a time and place where
so many civic-minded gazillionaires abound.]

Anecdotally, this is a reason I often hear for a
devil-take-the-hindmost pursuit of wealth, too. "I
would LOVE to be in a position to help the poor and
benefit charity. That's a big part of why I want to
get rich." Etc.

That is, instead of fighting the root causes of
economic inequality, bound up in our class system. The
above attitude is a resignation that, like Jesus said,
there will always be poor among you. Fighting the root
causes is off the agenda; it's pointless. Just keep
throwing aid from on high to the other alien species
known as "the poor."

On the other hand, what should people say when they're
asked why they want to be rich? Cognitivie dissonance
and all.

-B.