It's a shame that the common perception is that one needs money in order to change the world. This says a lot about our current social and economic system. One has to wonder if our capitalist system has created a society in which those with money hold significantly more potential and power to make real change. When the average person sees this, they feel that the only way to change the world is through money. One might say this motivates people to work and add to the economy. However there are several problems with this thought. First, it ignores those who have the will but no means- those hurt the most by our current system. Second, if that was the case our society would already be very different- better. The wealth gap is so large that people should be, by said logic, SUPER motivated, and the gap should be closing. This is obviously not the case. Lastly, it undermines and degrades the very being of the person. They're equating their worth and potential to money. This is exactly what our current economic system, and I would go so far as to say capitalism in general, is doing.
Perhaps the root of the problem lies with the creation/idea of money in general. I wouldn't advocate ridding the world of money (however utopian that may sound). Something does need to change in our current society, though. We are increasingly heading toward an oligarchy, in which the wealthy control the rest. Evidence of this can be seen in our politics and media everyday. The recent Supreme Court decision, which eliminated the limits to how much money a person could donate in an election season, is just further evidence. It's a common misconception that when the wealthy get wealthier the economy grows. When the wealthy get wealthier the wealthy get even wealthier at the expense of the poor. Such is the state now. Some blame President Obama for the growing poverty and wealth gap. The reality is that the economic policies, for example lower taxes on the rich, advocated by conservatives, are what is causing this. The rich only serve the rich.
Power needs to return to the average citizen- the middle class worker, the poor kid with a brilliant idea but no means to achieve it. I'm witness to this right now. My roommate and one of my best friends has some of the most creative and brilliant ideas I've ever heard- ideas and a story that could truly inspire. It's a shame, though, because he talks about needing to be a millionaire in order to spread his story and ideas. This is a problem with our current media system/industry as well.
We only pay attention to those with money. You have to pay your way to fame. The downside of this is that anyone with money, even if they bring no real value, can have an influence. Perhaps we push this ourselves, in the media at least. So many people no longer appreciate creativity or beauty or optimism. They just want basal, mindless entertainment. Those with money in the media industry see this and cater to it- on our television, in our films, on the internet, and even in our "news." It creates a cycle in which the only things we see are unintelligent, uninspiring shit with no real benefits, no nutrition, for society as a whole. We need to inspire ourselves. If we want real change, if we want the average man and woman to be able to change the world, we need to change our societal views. We need to change how we collectively and individually think. We need to take the power out of the hands of those with money (who only work to boost their own power) and put it back into our own hands. Change shouldn't need money.
You're argument was beautiful. This needs to be spread across America. The gap between the top 1% and the other 99% is too high to deny the fact the rich serve the rich. These are the economic reforms this country needs to bring us out of such poverty, comparable to the Great Depression all through the 30's, but brilliantly saved by Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal (and partially World War Two��). 5 star review
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