Infrastructure Reforms

Teahive · Post by **Teahive** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 7:28 pm

ladajo wrote:Think of a Buffet Restaraunt. A Greedy person will pay his money, and then gorge. A Free Stuff person will want to eat for free, or at a minimum at some sort of discount, and will also gorge. A normal person will pay without thought, and eat a relatively normal meal, and if they overeat, will feel regret about it.

Ok, I am not sure which group in particular you are ascribing this mentality to, then.

ladajo · Post by **ladajo** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 7:33 pm

Those who believe they are entitled to stuff that they have not earned, and most importantly at the expense of others who they have no concern for.

ladajo · Post by **ladajo** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 7:36 pm

Skipjack wrote:I think that for some reason people have the opinion that money is worth more than work...
If someone wants adequate money for their work, it is NOT free stuff mentality.
This is the problem with modern society (not just in the US, but also in Europe and YES also in Austria), money means status and it does not seem to matter how the money was aquired even. The really worrying trend lately is however that it seems that money not only means status, it also means "right". So whoever has got the money, no matter how it was aquired is right. I dont like that idea.

I agree. Hollywood is the best glaring example of this.

Skipjack · Post by **Skipjack** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 8:58 pm

I agree. Hollywood is the best glaring example of this.

Among others yes. I also add those that are descendents of gangsters and now pretend to be entitled to their money buying them respect or politics and low taxes. One could even add bankers to some extent.
Not everone who is rich deserves the money, or the right to manipulate politics to their own benefit just because they have the money to do so.
You see, the sense of entitlement can go both ways...

ladajo · Post by **ladajo** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:53 am

Not everone who is rich deserves the money, or the right to manipulate politics to their own benefit just because they have the money to do so.

Two different issues.

And yes I agree, of those with excessive money, some, probably more than not, tend to gain a sense of superioity over their fellow man. With that comes a sense of entitlement to direct what these perceived lessors can and can not do, as well as decide for themselves in a complete vacuum what they can and cannot do. It is certainly frustrating when this is attempted by an obvious idiot. And, yes I agree there is certainly a parallel with those with the "free stuff" mentality. It centers on the complete lack of respect for others.

In my opinion value for a fellow man is what has been suffering at the core of the current issues. It is a quality not well stressed these days. It is ironic that socialist minded folks hold this fellow man's value up as a banner at the same time they claim the right to choose for others as a core tenant to what they want and do.

paperburn1 · Post by **paperburn1** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 11:57 am

And of course the sense of entitlement on some public service jobs that really should not pay that much. Everyone needs a fair wage based on your contribution so the system but local and federal government are paying too much in some cases for services that are provided elsewhere at far lest cost. This is part of the problem as well. http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Sli ... px?index=1

Skipjack · Post by **Skipjack** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 3:30 pm

I think that it is all part of the same issue: The fact that people are generally only looking for their own advantage and thus will always try to get some sort of free lunch, whether they are rich or poor. To me it is a matter of balancing things out. If you just let one side take the upper hand, everyone looses.
Oh and I fully agree that public service jobs are overpaid and have too many benefits. In Austria you will always find me among those arguing just that. Besides politicians (even local ones) earn way to much for what they do. Then you have people placed on the boards of public or semi- government handled companies, that make a fortune for doing essentially nothing. Ohhh, this sort of stuff pisses me off so much and is part of why the system in Austria stinks and why I hate the socialists there.

Betruger · Post by **Betruger** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 5:42 pm

This is culture again. Looking for your own advantage should make it obvious that what goes around comes around. Helping others be self-reliant makes for a wealthier whole.

It is laziness as Ladajo says that leads to net negative, not merely selfishness. Insert here the infographic/venn diagram categorizing smart/stupid crooks/honest men.

ladajo · Post by **ladajo** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 8:30 pm

I think there is a difference between being a smart shopper and walking in and asking for free stuff.

I have watched both. I respect the person that makes some effort to look for a good deal and finds it. I do not respect the person who demands a good deal because they believe it is their right. It especially makes me angry when I see folks just walk up and outright ask for stuff obviously below cost or even free. It seems to be happening more and more. Of course, maybe I am just becoming more bitter and noticing it more.

Earn life, don't demand it. And understand, (as I quote a line from Brook's World War Z) "bad things can happen to good people". Just get over it and move on.

Skipjack · Post by **Skipjack** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 8:42 pm

It is laziness as Ladajo says that leads to net negative

You think that no rich person can be lazy? Some of the laziest bastards that I have ever seen were rich. Just like there can be really hard working people who are poor.

I think there is a difference between being a smart shopper and walking in and asking for free stuff.

Plenty of rich people asking for free stuff, because they are rich and famous.

Betruger · Post by **Betruger** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 2:05 am

If everyone were rich the world would be better by principle. This is the true end goal of every contemporary social thing - post scarcity. So again it's laziness, "rich" or not, that's at the root of it. Today's lazy is yesterday's magnate and tomorrow's scrabble-ass-poor.

Teahive · Post by **Teahive** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:35 am

Laziness is the driving force behind many innovations, so I wouldn't knock it too much.

GIThruster · Post by **GIThruster** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:55 am

Skipjack wrote: Some of the laziest bastards that I have ever seen were rich.

Name them. Otherwise any sensible person will think you're full of shit, as per usual.

ladajo · Post by **ladajo** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 11:26 am

Speaking of respect issues...this caught my eye:

Active Parenting

Seems to be a more popular idea of late.

Skipjack · Post by **Skipjack** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:45 pm

Name them. Otherwise any sensible person will think you're full of shit, as per usual.

You want me to throw arround the names of people that I personally know in a public forum? Sorry, you have to accept that I wont do that.

Otherwise any sensible person will think you're full of shit, as per usual.

Yeah, since you have proven to be ohhhh so reasonable with your assumptions...