Being At Odds with Being Rich

Not too long ago, I posted, "Since when is the average multi-millionaire in touch with the public beyond his or her public relations team spin?"  It was a political discussion and considering my lack of love for political discussions, I don't know what prompted me to say anything, much less make a blanket statement that most multi-millionaires are fairly clueless when it comes to the issues the common folk are facing.  However, unless they started from nothing and then made a point to remain aware of where and what they came from, then perhaps that blanket statement isn't all that far from wrong.

There are those who might be offended by my 'one-size-fits-most' opinion of the rich.  Even I might be offended by it if I were among that minority of taxpayers whose assets total at least seven figures to the left of the decimal point.  New York Lottery has two slogans -- "A Dollar and a Dream" and "Hey, You Never Know".  I've had that dollar and that dream for a very long time and I've found New York Lottery to be right -- I never know and will likely not ever know that jaw-dropping moment of winning so big.  I can't see myself with that kind of money in my lifetime and I'm at peace with that.  Sort of.

There is so much that can be done to help others once the taxes are paid and the basics are taken care of.  I want to be safe and happy and I don't require a mansion, a luxury car, and all the toys to reach those simple goals.  I can even hear myself starting to sound a little like Dolly Levy (of "Hello, Dolly" fame) when I say that money is like manure and it can't do a thing unless it's spread around and  encouraging things to grow. 

However, history has shown that money can also change a person and not necessarily for the better.  Money is power and power corrupts.  I like to think I'm better than that, but it's easy to say that down here in the trenches.  Can I really remain true to my ideals after crawling or being catapulted out?  The answer is, I believe so, but I really won't know until I get there.

That brings us back to the first paragraph where I ask if millionaires can know the problems the public is facing day-to-day without remembering where they started and remaining in touch with those roots, as less than perfect and as they might have been.  I am truly happy for those who succeed. I am genuinely joyous for those who strike it rich.  But the ones I give a continued approving nod to are the ones who know and care from the heart about the world around them.

Words to live rich by, and that includes me.  If the miracle should happen and I find myself among the nouveau riche, someone please remind me of my words today and regularly.  Thank you.