If a person works his or her way up from poverty, and now earns a six-figure salary or greater...

[Writer]

shouldn't that person live well, from his or her hard work, without regrets (and some charity)? Or do you believe that person should practice modesty, giving more and living with less?

[ThomCat]

1. No matter how hard you work (becuase almost everyone works hard)

If you earn a lot of money I think you have a moral and ethical obligation not to keep it to yourself. We all depend on the work of others. It's not that one person works harder than other people. It's that one person has been put in a position to benefit more.

Modesty can't be enforced, but it should certainly be highly encouraged.

[Bluerthanblue]

20. wow.... i couldn't agree

more-

Beautifully said ThomCat-

thank you for this post
:thumbsup:
peace,
blu

[nick303]

26. Pretty mushy

"It's not that one person works harder than other people. It's that one person has been put in a position to benefit more."

Actually it's a pretty even mixture of the two.

[ThomCat]

31. Really?

I work with corporate executives. I'm a management consultant, so I have quite a bit of access to people and projects at a high level. More than half of the executives I work with are not very hard working. They're just very good at selling themselves. The hardest working people I know, with few exceptions, are stuck at lower levels.

They're "too valuable" to promote, and they spend too much time actually working to be good at the games and politics that get people promoted into higher management.

The idea that people become executives because they work hard is a really bad myth.

[MedleyMisty]

2. Modesty

Conspicious consumption is one of the factors causing global warming. But that's the only score I'm going to judge people on.

Personally, I would feel incredibly guilty and would probably live the same way I do now, although I admit that I would replace my 13 year old car. With a hybrid. But yeah - I'd only buy what I needed, save a bit for retirement, and use the rest to help people. It hurts not having enough money to donate to various causes and that sort of thing now.

I take tours of rental properties for a living, and the houses over 4000 square foot that rent for over $2000 a month make me physically ill. Think of how many people that money could help.

[Clark2008]

19. And, you're forgetting that even people who make better than

their parents may still not be able to afford a hybrid.

I can't - and I'm not "poor." Just solidly middle class and pressured.

[Beaverhausen]

3. It's too hard to make any kind of generalization

Some people in this situation will realize how blessed they are and will work to give back and to help others, and others will keep it all to themselves.

What kind of house they live in, etc. doesn't really matter. If they can afford it, they should live however they want.

[jannyk]

4. As long as no-one got harmed on their way up

then they should live however they see fit. It is not my place to condemn a person on welfare that buys a bar of chocolate or a magazine instead of milk or a multi millionaire that buys a yacht instead of a school.

I grew up in a poor, blue collar household and now am quite well off (my own doing - no handouts). I do not and should not have to feel guilty about 'bettering' myself.

[ecstatic]

5. It's simple: Practice what you preach

Following that simple principle prevents misunderstandings.

[mike_c]

6. I'm going with modesty....

Every American uses a disproportionate amount of the worlds resources. We should all be trying to reduce the burden we place on the biosphere.

[sandnsea]

7. Depends whether you're telling others

what they're supposed to do with their money.

[FrenchieCat]

8. "Living Well" is relative.

Some of the richest people in this world are very unassuming and are not always extravagant.

[Canuckistanian]

9. Modesty, Charity and Compassion are ALWAYS virtues

No matter what background you come from.

To abandon any one of those principles is to be ... immoral.

[iamjoy]

10. It's A Tough Question

It seems you might be talking about John Edwards.

On the surface, what you say is true. Why can't some one who has worked hard enjoy the fruits of his/her labor? Everyone has their indulgences or luxuries that other people think are ridiculous. On the other hand, when some one talks about the suffering of the poor, they do risk looking a tad ridiculous doing so from extreme wealth.

Does any one talk about the size of Bill Gates's house or the way the Walton family lives? NO.But, they call John Edwards a hypocrite for living well while talking about the plight of the poor. It's not fair, but not unexpected either. I'm afraid Edwards is going to have to take his lumps on this. He invited that attention (intentionally or not).

[Writer]

15. For the record...

this is NOT a question concerning John Edwards. It's something more personal.

Writer.

[iamjoy]

17. Ah, Well, I'm Overly Sensitive

But, I think the same answer still applies. If that person is helping others, there is nothing wrong with enjoying life. However, that person must be prepared to take some criticism if they are publicly speaking out against the poor while living a luxurious life.

[Clark2008]

25. OK - then disregard what I said below.

I also thought you were speaking of Edwards.

[jobycom]

11. I think they should live however they want

I also believe that the government should have a progressive tax structure that forces them to pay their share of the national burden, based on how well the nation has rewarded them, and that share should be used to help those less fortunate, through health care, education and career training, basic assistance programs. It should also be used for the good of the nation in a way that stimulates the economy for all, including those wealthy folk who grumble about how little they get for their taxes without realizing how much they actually do get.

Once that standard is set, these fortunate people should be allowed to spend their money however they want, and if they want to be charitable, appropriate and reasonable tax breaks for charitable activity should be given.

That's my opinion. :)

[bonito]

12. Its up to the person in question

Money has power here, but has no love. One with love and money can do a lot for our common good.
Its whats in one heart, ideas, and dreams that moves the world, money is just a venue.

[bklyncowgirl]

13. If I were in that position I'd go for a modest but high quality life style

I would live in a modestly sized but well designed house in a beautiful location. I'd invest in art.

I'd have horses which I'd keep by and large the way that nature intended--outdoors most of the time with utilitarian but well planned and built barn and other facilities.

I'd choose the best designed, economic vehicles that would serve my purpose.

I'd give plenty of money to charity, make my kids work for what they want but help them out when they needed help.

I can't make judgments on other people but big, conspicuous houses have always turned me off.

[Cameron27]

14. I don't begrudge Edwards his money, his home or his

haircuts. I do fault him for working at a hedge fund while preaching "two Americas" That's a serious no-no. They're playgrounds for the filthy rich to keep their money safely out of the hands of the government, and off-shore tax shelters are just a small part of the problem. It was a hypocritical thing to do.

I'm still trying to understand the depth of these damned things, but they're bad, bad, bad.

[ToeBot]

16. I don't know of anyone that got rich in an empty room.

My apologies to Pascal.

[Clark2008]

18. If you're speaking of Edwards, note that he was NEVER poverty-

striken.

He was from an upper middle class family.

That said, yes, they can spend their money the way they want, providing they're not putting themselves forward as "the poverty candidate," then, whether it is or not, it looks hypocritical.

[Scooter24]

21. I follow my own philosophy...

Work hard, earn money, don't give a damn what others think.

I started my own business at 16, and now, over 10 years later, have grown it into a very successful venture. What I buy or do with my money is of no importance to anyone other than myself.

[nini]

22. I fall into that category in many ways

without going into all the details I went from nothing to the salary you describe.

I live within my means and try and save for retirement so I never fall into poverty again.

Do I live better than I did when I had nothing - of course. I am able to travel and do things I couldn't even dream of 15 years ago. Do I feel guilty because of it? - no, I have worked very hard to get where I am and earned it all honestly.

I didn't let my increased income change my core values - I still give to charities, help family and friends out when they need it etc...

If I was a millionaire then I believe it was be easier to say there might be some limits to what living comfortably is - but 6 figure salary doesn't always mean one can live high on the hog. I wouldn't buy a huge home because I do not need it. If someone needs more space then more power to them.

[Sanctified]

23. As someone who grew up in Poverty.

I would say that the person should live however they feel comfortable, if they like the idea of modesty then they should practice that, if they like the idea of living well then they should do that.

I am not yet making a 6 figure salary but I do plan on being there in a few years and I am currently saving all my money to buy a small carbon neutral organic farm to retire on, which is going to require a lot of money. I don't feel guilty that I have more money in my bank account than a wealthy American makes in a year because I know that the money is going to a good cause.

[SmokingJacket]

24. Moderation works best for everyone. nt

[Th1onein]

27. I've worked my way up out of poverty.

I used to be a "welfare mom." We were very, very poor.

And, after having lived in poverty for so many years and knowing what it is like for people who are not lazy, but who work very, very hard, just to survive, I don't think that you CAN live well without giving a large chunk back. I think that living well INCLUDES doing something about how those left behind still have to live.

And, when you have lived in abject poverty, you learn how to live very simply. You learn to be happy with just the basics. I've tried to take that with me and keep that skill, as I've earned more and more every year. So, I have a lot left over, after my needs are taken care of.

I do invest quite a bit into my business, because it proves out, but the rest? I give it freely. In fact, after having lost my son to cystic fibrosis, there are very few things that can make me smile. But changing the lives of others for the better by making an investment in their lives? It is one thing left to me that makes me happy.

[davekriss]

28. Personally I think everyone should live according to this:

Practically speaking, a life that is vowed to simplicity, appropriate boldness, good humor, gratitude, unstinting work and play, and lots of walking brings us close to the actual existing world and its wholeness.
-- Gary Snyder

Hoarding wealth, with an exaggerated ecological footprint -- nothing to be proud of, imo.

[Matsubara]

29. Of course they should live well. They should also be taxed at a much higher rate than the poor.

If the government was doing it's job right, there would be much, much less need for "charity" .

[pitohui]

30. everybody works hard

i'm tired of lottery winners w. six figure incomes pretending they work harder than the rest of us, because the reality is that the lotteries you win allowing you to get that kind of income involve working less hard than the rest of us

[leftofthedial]

32. I believe everyone on the planet, regardless of origins

should practice modesty, giving more and living with less.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

33. I worked hard, got no job and no pension.

Have a damn good education. Higher education is a joke as far as the job market. The job market doesn't want smart people. Sorry I wasted my time with my false expectations.

Everyone has a different definition of "living modestly" and "living extravagantly".

Everyone has certain things they might splurge on, and other things they care nothing for.

[eggman67]

34. It's relative

I grew up in poverty. The son of a South Philly steel worker with a 6th grade education, I watched my classmates waste their time "Smoking the killer and drinking the Miller" while ridiculing me for staying home and studying. Do you know what that's like for a teen? Then I watched them drop out of school and end up in crap assed jobs. I'm now making six figures as a software developer. Am I supposed to feel sorry for them? I give about 15% of my income to charities that help kids who are working hard to pay for the opportunities that they will take advantage of. But my standard of living is still well above those I grew up with and I have no problems with that at all. I earned it, not because "I was put in a position to do so" but because I put myself in the position to do so.

I ate my share of "gubmint cheese" in the 80's, so I understand the need for taking care of the less fortunate, but it's up to them to achieve a living standard above "less fortunate."