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Is pride dead?

XMan

XMan

Lifer
When I was young, my parents told me that I could do anything I wanted to do with my life so long as I worked hard and applied myself. While I was a pretty typical kid, I made a fundamental declaration to myself at age 16 that anything I got for myself, I was going to have to fight for and work for. And when I got it, I could look back on what I'd done to get it and be proud.

It seems the world we live in today is a different one entirely. Instead of working hard and trying to improve our stations in life, we are jealous of those who've worked hard to make a good life for themselves. Sure, some of the wealthy have inherited money. But just as many busted their butts to get where they are - but that is somehow not fair; they should be punished for their success, and we below them should be provided for, because obviously the successful are holding us down. Obviously the successful have taken all of the money away from us. If I don't hear this, I hear those who have done something for themselves feeling guilty because they have worked hard and made something of their lives. They are for some reason buying into the mindset that their success has caused the failure of someone else, and the should feel shame for doing well.

I refuse to ascribe to this mindset. Everything I have done in my life has been the result of stubborness and determination. I am proud of what I have done for myself. And if you say I should be ashamed of my pride - shame on you.
 
It's called class envy. Well...that and the fact that nobody wants to be responsible for their own lives or actions these days. Seems like everyone wants to take the easy way out instead of working hard to be successful. I call it the Gimme....Gimme....Gimme syndrome.
 
Nice post.

I think most people can't deal with the mediocrity(sp?) of their lives and, naturally, blame it one someone else. Again, who do they blame it on? People that have what they don't have. If you didn't steal what you have...you should be proud that you earned it. Also realize that more fortunate people are not bringing you down (unless you had it coming to you).

Xerox Man, I'm proud of you too!
 
Most of the rich got their money through inheriting it, or cheating everyone else. My definition of rich is pretty high, soemone making more than $500,000 a year.
 
Pride isn't dead here... I have worked my ass off to get where I am today, and I don't plan on stopping here. There are a lot of toys I want before I die, and it's going to take a lot of success to acquire those. But I will have it, oh yes.
 
Xerox Man: I couldn't have said it any better.

Pride sure hasn't died off from me either. I do get quite annoyed and pissed off when people tell me crap like: "You are naturally smart."

Yeah.. As if I was born with all my programming skills? My understanding of European/Asian history? Oh.. and I must be born somehow to take a glance at the cover of an astronomy book and automatically learn about stars and constellations?

They never seem to understand/realize that I actually spent sh*tload of time (that I could've spent partying or wasting time watching crap shows on TV) to achieve what I did. (And btw, I'm not an extremely geeky person who NEVER goes out. I just don't go out clubbing or pointlessly walk around downtown "bored" on every single friggin' Saturday night.)

Oh well.. just had to take this opportunity to rant a little. I don't even bother to explain to those people any more. It's not worth my time.

<-- gotta get out of OT and study C# 🙂
 
<<Most of the rich got their money through inheriting it, or cheating everyone else>>

And this opinion is EXACTLY what will keep you from getting &quot;rich&quot;.

That is a statement based on opinion, without one shred of evidence to back it up.
 


<< Most of the rich got their money through inheriting it, or cheating everyone else. >>



Spoken like a true Liberal. It is not true, either. 😛
 


the best way to create wealth in this country is to be a small business owner (simply by statistics).

They risk their own capital and lives and reap the rewards. Those who risk the most, get the most in return when the venture works out.

Mark
 
On one hand, the skilled and abled among us, (I'd like to include myself in that category) should have pride in what they accomplished. If we've worked hard, persevered, and accomplished what we deemed important in our lives, we should most definitely be proud. On occasion, we may even like to contrast our success with those who failed, and be happy in the fact. 🙂

But as a Christian semi-conservative semi-liberal, I'd like to suggest its not all about patting ourselves on the back. As a recent college grad with a decent job, I thank God every day for the blessings I receive that I don't deserve. I have great friends, great girlfriend, money to spend, loving parents, and most of all my health. So I don't think I did it all on my own.

If we allow ourselves to be arrogant, we tend to loose sight of what got us here to begin with. Each one of us who has a reason to be proud, stood on the strong shoulders of those who came before us, and God, if you chose to believe. So yes I believe most of us are hard workers, but ALL of us are blessed. If you do not think so, you have long since forgotten how to appreciate the mere privelege of living in this country.

And BTW, I make a good living. I do not mind paying taxes. I never had and never will demand that you or the government or anyone else help me out. I am not and have never been jealous of anyone who earns more than I.

Xerox Man, I have never made excuses for being poor my first 15 years in the US, and would never dare to blame anyone for keeping me down. In a capitalist country there will inherently be poor, middle-class and rich people - an economy and society driven by innovation. But let us all be reminded, though that may be so, the well-off are and always WILL BE CALLED UPON to help the poor. To call that &quot;punishment for being rich&quot;... I think it is incredibly selfish, and NOT, what this country was built upon.
 
Most of the rich got their money through inheriting it, or cheating everyone else.

Since I've read the book that etech referred to I know that the above is just not true. I can't remember the stats but most millionaires did not inherit their wealth. They got it through consistent work and discipline.

xerox man If you think its bad down there come up to Canada. Everyone and their brother is on some form of gov't subsidy/handout/assistance, etc. 🙂 Thats probably why our economy sucks ass and why I have to move to the US now.
 
I wouldn't say it's a lack of pride so much as an increase in laziness. I'm jealous of people who are richer than I. It doesn't mean that I just sit back and whine about it. It makes me want it that much more. All throughout my life I've always been one to not expect anything from anyone and if I do, I never expect more than I deserve.
 
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