The Billionaire Club
The Billionaire Club
Money answers everything - Ecclesiastes
There is nothing wrong with money. In fact, money is a damn good thing. It is the only symbol of exchange that keeps the world a civil place. Imagine if we had no money? Then all the bullies on the block would loot all the goods (and services) and the rest of us would be left out in the cold, to bleed dry. Money guarantees a social contract.
Money, as a symbol of exchange, is the only hedge of protection for our purchasing power. Purchasing power is the only mechanism in commerce and a free marketplace that keeps greed at bay, and our worst impulses in check. Money is energy, currency, and it must maintain an optimal flow in circulation in order to benefit society. Too much flow and you have inflation. Too little flow and you have stagnation. I support the wealth of being and unequivocally advocate that the opportunity is afforded to all people to maximize their wealth meter in their lifetime; and to whatever degree their unique capabilities and contributions uniquely endow them. To him or her who is given much, so says the Gospels, much more is required. So, let it rain, let it pour. Let it flow!
If you are willing to sell your soul in order to be rich, then you are impoverished
The truth about money is not that it is inherently evil—which is a lie—rather, money is necessary for safety and survival. The real problem with money is defined by what people do to get it, and what they do with it when they have it. Did one lie, steal, cheat and kill to obtain money? All just to fly in a private jet and sip Goût de Diamants on a yacht in the Ivory Coast? How many people were robbed of their livelihoods and well-being so that people like Donald Trump and Elon Musk could claim billionaire status?
For being billionaires, those two men have left a sociopathic trail of an utter failure to honor their monetary obligations. Wherever they go, they just refuse to pay their bills.
I mean think about it, Musk doesn’t pay rent on his leases, or severance to his fired employees, but somehow manages to attend the Superbowl. Trump leaves a trail of unpaid bills to cities across America for his rallies, and he’s been stiffing workers and contractors his whole lifetime. In Spanish we say, no tienen vergüenza. Just no shame.
The other day I came across a comment by Robert Reich that pointed out how many poor billionaires finance their lavish lifestyles off of unrealized capital gains. These are image conscious people for whom the looks of wealth is all that matters. People like Trump and Musk talk about how the U.S. spends foolishly. Yet, their whole life scheme is based on false promises, and borrowing against imaginary, future funds.
On the other hand, if your knowledge, skills and ability (talent) earn you a hefty pay day, celebrate. Congratulations. And also, pay it forward. Contribute to generational wealth, not only by fattening your own bank account, but by contributing to society more broadly through philanthropic endeavors. Also, it is okay to enjoy the good things in life, as long as you can afford your lifestyle and live within your means.
Conscious capitalism is about equal opportunity, responsible entrepreneurship, and a deep and abiding commitment to growing the wealth of one’s broader community.
Poverty is a socially-engineered social malady that preserves the slave-landowner dynamic of inequality intact, in order to benefit a ruling class of people who believe they are genetically superior to others. Poverty and crime are inextricably linked.
Now that we are finally flipping the script on the long outdated modes of living of a less evolved human species, we recognize that wealth of being is inherent and when people are not hampered and ghettoized, as it were, they can maximize their fullest potential. We cannot guarantee outcomes, but we can afford equal opportunity for all.
Just remember, though equal in our humanity, we are all unique in a special way
Humanity is at the precipice of a whole new world, the dawn of a new day. We are muting the chaos and dissent and hate, of necessity for our forward-moving growth, while pivoting toward win-win partnerships in which human beings are playing on a level playing field. The stakeholders of our new era will pave the way for humanity.
A future Madam President Harris would do very well for America, actually, to enlist Jamie Dimon as Treasury Secretary of the United States. Mr. Dimon is razor sharp on the intellect and he understands the way the world works. Let’s spread the wealth!
Please consider purchasing a copy of my novel, Dispelling the Myth. Thank you.