Devan+P’s+OpEd+Article



Free lunch. I fully support the program, but the system is screwed up. I am tired of seeing people with iPhones and name brand clothing, cheating the system. I have heard countless stories of multi-millionaires, who live as if they have less money that the average middle class American. What about all of the different types of middle income Americans? Those who live far beyond their means, and end up with nothing. Or those who give everything they have, and end up just scrapping by? Or those who spend all they get and have everything they want, but don't have any savings or insurance? Lastly, those who live responsibly, they live comfortably, give to those truly less fortunate, but ensure that they save and go about life fairly? All of these people may have the same income, but they live dramatically different lives. It is clear to me that it is nearly impossible to accurately estimate the income of people solely based on how they live or what they have. The question, then, is why do people weigh so heavily the material wealth of others? Why do people discriminate based on income? I am sick of seeing the "I am better than you" attitude of the rich. I am done with people, who have all that they need, constantly venting their envy over their "lack of" and demonstrating a negative attitude about people who may make more money than them. It bothers me to see the gawking eyes of people craving the latest and greatest product as if it is some sort of god. I wish that people would give it a rest with the jealousy and judgment. Please learn that true wealth isn't even measured in money. I understand that in the case of the poles of the rich and poor, people of both sides of the extreme income classes, can have their personality and character affected by their wealth (or lack of), but most of us don't belong in either camp. So, in terms of the person holding the money, does it really matter if they have a little more or a little less? No. So, please stop making a person's wealth an important part of your description of them. It don't care if they make $75,000/yr or $200,000/year, what kind of person are they, independent of their money? Attention needs to be paid to the lower class, and the income gaps in the US are ridiculous and unfair. However, judgments and class discrimination in today's society need to be tamed, because for the most part, the envy is pointless and the system is flawed.