Don’t Be Angry at the 1% . . .

Be Angry At . . . (5 Better Places to Place Your Anger)

Last night I watched another episode of Drugs, Inc. and another episode of American Greed. Yes, a repeat as almost everything seems to be right now, but none-the-less, it got my brain stirring with questions.

The Greatest Question That Came Out of This Viewing

Why is it that people get angry at the wealthy, especially the wealthy who worked hard to get where they are today, or those that inherited their wealth but have a respectable ethics?

We get angry at their success.

We get angry out of jealousy.

Too often, however, what we don’t see is where they began, where they started. What we don’t see are the sacrifices they made to get where they are today. What we don’t see are the decisions they made and what it might have cost them. We don’t see their loneliness because it becomes difficult to determine who is a true friend and who is just a friend to get money. We don’t see the frustration of being stalked and gawked at because of their presence in the media. We don’t see behind their public persona, and we shouldn’t because their private life is just that “private.”

Do your research on any of the rich and famous and you just might be amazed at their humble beginnings and the life struggles they have experienced.

But What of Those Who Inherit Their Wealth

In watching Undercover Boss and The Profit, the struggles of those who have inherited the family business or family wealth become apparent.

Daddy built a business empire and had the choice of progeny to hand it down to.

The oldest? Well, maybe. The oldest feels entitled but has never shown any interest.

The middle? Well? The middle, while passionate about the family business, still acts immaturely.

The youngest? Well? The youngest has set off on his own and built his own business empire.

Dad doesn’t trust the middle and is always angry at the oldest. Family struggles ensue.

Then, there is always the kid born into wealth that is consistently in trouble or the kid who squanders the family wealth.

Yes, for those of us who struggle to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table and our kids out of trouble, it is difficult to understand the struggles of the rich and famous.

We should not be angry at these people for being wealthy, especially if they are earning their money honestly, supporting their employees and other businesses, paying their taxes, and living an authentic life.

But What of The Wealth of Big Business?

Why are we upset when big business prospers?

Yes, there are those unscrupulous CEO’s who profit while their employees struggle. Yes, there are those unscrupulous CEO’s of not-for-profits that make six figures a year.

BUT

There are those big businesses that support the local community. There are those big businesses that invest in small businesses and help them thrive in their community. There are those big businesses that donate to numerous charitable causes.

Take away that money from small businesses and charities and they flounder and die.

So Where Should I Place My Anger?

1. Be angry at the successful that are NOT earning their money legally.

Be angry at the DRUG LORDS, the DRUG DEALERS, and the illegal DRUG MAKERS who prey on people, who cut the actual drugs with ingredients more lethal than the actual drug itself ALL OUT OF THE GREED TO MAKE MONEY.

LOTS OF MONEY.

Be angry with the SCAM ARTISTS who prey on people with big hearts or a desire to help because they believe the person can.

Be angry at PONZI SCHEMES that lure investors to sink money into a project that will never see the light of day.

Be angry at CON ARTISTS who begin companies with a get rich scheme devised to gouge the pocketbooks of the general populace only to line their own pockets. These people are not reputable.

2. Be angry at the INDIVIDUALS who are NOT paying their taxes. But lumping those that work within the confines of the law with those who don’t, is damaging to those looking to improve themselves and rise out of the life they were born into.

3. Be angry at the ONE cop, the ONE teacher, the ONE boss who is NOT ethical. DON’T dump them ALL into one basket and say that they are ALL bad.

4. Be angry at the MEDIA for NOT showing the whole story or all all sides of a story.

5. Be angry at the DRAMA INVENTORS and the RIOT BAITERS. The other day I commented on a social media post. The person put up a video they had taken with their phone of a police stop. In the film clip they stated that they were “taking the video for the safety of the person stopped.” My comment questioned that the person videoing had NO idea what had prompted the stop and for more than one police car to be at the stop. Some responded to me that there was NO reason for more than one cop car.

Really?

How about more eyes?

How about the safety of the cop?

How about the nature of the stop? If the person had just beaten up someone or shot someone, I certainly would want back-up.

So, instead of being angry at the wealthy 1% who either made their money the hard way or were born into it, be angry at the wealthy DRUG DEALERS, the wealthy SCAM ARTISTS, and the wealthy individuals who aren’t paying their fair share. Be angry at the ONE bad cop, teacher, or boss. Be angry at the MEDIA. Be angry at the DRAMA INVENTORS and the RIOT BAITERS. Be angry at the GROUPS that seem to have valid arguments but are REALLY pushing a different agenda.

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Rebecca Writes The articles and comments in Rebecca Writes relate to living in this crazy world. Articles about being a parent and grandparent to traveling to relationships to education to health and wellness to being a decent human being — and beyond.

Rebecca (Becky) spent 34 years in a teaching career, but when she retired in 2014, she picked up her pen and pursued her passion to write. As a high school English teacher, Becky held the philosophy that she wouldn’t give any writing assignment that she personally wouldn’t or couldn’t do. That philosophy strengthened and broadened her own writing.

In addition to publishing her writing on various platforms, Becky also blogs at Life is for Living, a blog to encourage, motivate, and help others live the best life possible. As an extension of Life is for Living, she also publishes a weekly newsletter, Let’s Chat. (Check it out HERE.) Life is for Living also has a social media presence with the group Coffee on my Porch. (Check it out HERE.)

After teaching writing for 34 years, Becky began Ink & Keyboard, a blog for writers at all levels. She supplements what she writes on the blog with a subscription newsletter, The Writer’s Notebook (Check it out HERE.), the social media group Ink & Keyboard (Check it out HERE.), and a Medium publication Ink & Keyboard (Check it out HERE.).

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