Aren't there more important things than making money?

Question

Someone here posted a question asking why Democrats degraded rich people. He then argued that making money and striving for success were good things. He also asked why we wanted to be "average".

Excuse me, but I have nothing against making money. In fact, I'm all for striving for money and success as long as it's all done ethically. Not only that, but would a person who places value on things other than money, success, and material possessions be considered BELOW AVERAGE? Perhaps some people place value on other things. Perhaps they place more value on things like personal fulfillment and making a valuable contribution to society. Not only that, but the mere implication that anyone who isn't wealthy is below average is an insult to MOST Americans. Sure, most Americans work for a living, but most of them certainly don't get rich. However, in my opinion, as long as you do good, honest work, you're ABOVE average, even if you don't get rich.

islam_defenda_est: I know that money is necessary for securing food and shelter. However, it's not necessary to be rich or to be successful by our society's standards in order to have those needs met.

Answer 1

The way I look at it is that people who want to make money, no matter what, are going to find millions of ways of justifying it. Even if their methods are totally unethical and immoral.

Would I compromise my values even a little for more money? Personally speaking, I guess I could, but in reality I never have and I hope to god that I never will. Having ethics is an obligation because our survivability as human beings depends on it. Our future and our core existence becomes meaningless if we do not possess a set of standards like morals and ethics. We have a Devinne obligation to "do the right thing." Not just to please our inner senses, but also to the future survival of those who will come after we are long gone.

Answer 2

No. One of the lowest paying jobs I've ever had was the best. I worked in a daycare on an Indian Reserve, was paid minimum wage as it was non profit and loved it. I'd go in early, stay late (without pay) because the kids were all important. We were all there making the kids day the best that we could knowing some were going home to chaos. When I was hired I was told that the most important thing I could do for the children was make their day safe, fun and secure. I took that to heart. I saw many heartbreaking situations but the focus was always on the kids. Hugs were a big part of the job and I gave them willingly because it was these little ones needed it. Best job I ever, ever had. I've also had other jobs and had a great wage and hated getting up every morning to deal with material, self centered people who would rip off their own mother to make a dollar. Hated it. Now I don't have to work for the almighty dollar and enjoy doing volunteer work. I love it.

Answer 3

There are many more important things than money. Whatever makes you happy, and nobody can convince me that money makes them happy. It makes your life easier, but it's not a source of happiness.

The problem is that the US is a capitalist country, and capitalism is fueled by greed. Those who really buy into the capitalist system believe that the more money you make, the better person you are, and he who dies with the most stuff wins.

I do most of my Yahoo answers in the Environment section, and there's a guy who's basically a conservative stereotype. He's convinced that global warming isn't caused by humans and no evidence is going to convince him otherwise, and he likes to email me for some strange reason. He always makes a point to tell me how much money he's making, how hot his girlfriend is, how he buys cars and boats, etc. like having the most money somehow makes him a better person. It's quite sad, but it's a rather common thought process in a capitalist society. Capitalism wouldn't work if people weren't greedy.

Answer 4

I agree! I make less money than I otherwise could, but I live a happier life.

I also would not take any amount of money if it meant never seeing my family and loved ones again.

Having said all that, it may be that finances was the only aspect of life at issue and that "average" was clearly referring to income, given the context.

I find it ironic, though, that some on the left decry materialism and yet seem obsessed with somehow getting their hands on other people's money. If one truly believes excessive materialism is wrong, then one should not be trying to wrest the assets of "the greedy rich" away from them for one's own purposes. Trying to do that is the MOST materialistic course of action, not the least.

Answer 5

Of course there are! However, in order to get rich, it seems that at least 90% of the time you have to do unethical stuff. Fo example, I once quit a job making significantly more money than I do now because they were doing business with corporations that I didn't agree with. I was working for a trust company who held stock in oil companies that pollute and the kicker was when animal rights activist started calling. Apparently, they had stock in a British company that was notorious for abusing the animals that they were testing their products on. I gave my resignation the very next day and cited my moral reasons.

Now, I might make less money working in State government, but I sleep well at night knowing that I'm helping people. I work for Medicaid and Medicare.

Honestly, to me, my morals are WAY more important. However, to some people, it's not. I'm not here to judge, I just follow what's in my heart.

Answer 6

To answer your initial question, yes, there are plenty of things more important than making money.

Now, there's a difference between making enough money to meet your basic needs and making more than you need to be comfortable.

For many people, money is their only goal in life. And I truly believe they become slaves to it.

People who put an emphasis on money or make a point of mentioning how much money they make are usually as deep as a puddle and have nothing else to offer society. After all we tend to put our best foot foward so to speak.

Answer 7

Extremely well-said. People in third-world countries are able to find happiness while having little-to-no money. Us Americans should really take an example from them. Money is not able to buy happiness, no matter how rich you are.

Answer 8

i agree with you this past week my husband was trying to plan a get together for all people he works with and one of them made a comment about how it should be at his place because "he was better then the others" because he lived in a big house and my husband got very offended and mad and procedded to tell the guy just because he lived in a big house that his wife bought doesn't make him better then the others workers becuase they were good hard working people that could be relied on..needless to say my husband told him off so bad about his elitist attitude that the guy quit two days later

Answer 9

you are absolutely right, however here in America. to access the very best of things you have to have money. its true that honest work gets you far, but it really sucks when you have to work all your life to survive and you cannot even enjoy it. living comfortable sitting pretty is very desirable. and although money is not everything it can enhance your life here in USA

Answer 10

The rights idea that only monetary success is valid success is silly, and more than a bit narrow minded.