Why I am not a Millionaire (link)

You know, money and wealth are topics that people seem to have an all or nothing opinion of, and I really dont get it.

Either you are living in a shack in the woods living off the land and mooching internet off other people, or youre living in a "McMansion" franctically buying and consuming which you pay for by being chained to a desk in an airless windowless corporate prison, basing your enitre identity on material goods playing right into the hands of "THEM". eeeem... what if you do neither?

What happened to balance? Why does it have to be one or the other?

I dont live in a McMansion (nor would I. I dont have a love of house work as it is!!) but I happen to be pretty fond of my tumble dryer and not slaughtering my own food. I chose to have my own internet access because its a lot easier that it was having to go to the library to use theirs every day, which I did for over a year while going through my "Damn the system". And you know what, I chose to embrace some of the things that require money. I enjoy them, I prefer to have them than not. They are provided to me through the work of others, so yes, I must compensate them in some way for their efforts and resources.

We are not "slaves to a system". We can leave the system if we genuinely want to, but most of us chose the convenience and ease over the alternatives. Its about balance. I happen to have a job that I love, a not-crappy apartment that im very happy in, in a city that I quite like surrounded by "money worshiping consumers". And it doesnt bother me. I dont "chase money" or obsess over it, but I chose to have the things that it can get me.

Brenna wrote: You know, money and wealth are topics that people seem to have an all or nothing opinion of, and I really dont get it.

Either you are living in a shack in the woods living off the land and mooching internet off other people, or youre living in a "McMansion" franctically buying and consuming which you pay for by being chained to a desk in an airless windowless corporate prison, basing your enitre identity on material goods playing right into the hands of "THEM". eeeem... what if you do neither?

What happened to balance? Why does it have to be one or the other?

I dont live in a McMansion (nor would I. I dont have a love of house work as it is!!) but I happen to be pretty fond of my tumble dryer and not slaughtering my own food. I chose to have my own internet access because its a lot easier that it was having to go to the library to use theirs every day, which I did for over a year while going through my "Damn the system". And you know what, I chose to embrace some of the things that require money. I enjoy them, I prefer to have them than not. They are provided to me through the work of others, so yes, I must compensate them in some way for their efforts and resources.

We are not "slaves to a system". We can leave the system if we genuinely want to, but most of us chose the convenience and ease over the alternatives. Its about balance. I happen to have a job that I love, a not-crappy apartment that im very happy in, in a city that I quite like surrounded by "money worshiping consumers". And it doesnt bother me. I dont "chase money" or obsess over it, but I chose to have the things that it can get me.

Well Brenna some countries still haven't succombed to unfettered capitalism yet. I knew a guy from Denmark and man the stories he would tell... it sounded like paradise! Free education, job security, human rights, health care, etc. Another guy from Canada... Another guy from NZ... They all had these wonderful stories like yours. I mean I can't even imagine what it's like to live in a country where you can get health care. I haven't even looked at a dentist in 20 years.

Maybe the US people see everything as "shack in the woods" vs "McMansion in Beverly Hills" because that's how things really are in the US right now. The majority of people are either obscenely wealthy or obscenely poor. And the people who slightly above poverty are offended when they hear that poor people have internet or that prisoners get food and TV.

Whyte Horse wrote: Well Brenna some countries still haven't succombed to unfettered capitalism yet. I knew a guy from Denmark and man the stories he would tell... it sounded like paradise! Free education, job security, human rights, health care, etc. Another guy from Canada... Another guy from NZ... They all had these wonderful stories like yours. I mean I can't even imagine what it's like to live in a country where you can get health care. I haven't even looked at a dentist in 20 years.

Maybe the US people see everything as "shack in the woods" vs "McMansion in Beverly Hills" because that's how things really are in the US right now. The majority of people are either obscenely wealthy or obscenely poor. And the people who slightly above poverty are offended when they hear that poor people have internet or that prisoners get food and TV.

I would like to point out here that I lived in Southern Africa for 20 years where there is no socialised anything. No free education. No healthcare. The only difference is there we had to pay for insurance so things had to be reprioritised. And my opinion remains the same.

Id like to also point out that New Zealand isnt exactly nirvana. Our personal income tax rate is high, our goods and sales tax is stupidly high. Tax on gas sits at almost 40% of the cost. Every time you turn around youre being taxed for something, I get taxed annually for owning a dog! A chihuahua! But it is well managed and pays for the things it should. Land is horrifically expensive (teeeny island) which means that the rent on my tiny apartment is in a week what the average 4 bedroom McMansion in the States costs in a month.

Only emergency and public hospital care is free (though you are expected to pay a percentage of your care). Its still costs me $70 to go to my GP. Although most "essential" medications are heavily subsidised so it helps. No dental if youre over 18 sadly. and dental is extremely expensive here.

Education is free for children whose families are on low incomes, above a certain threshold, you pay. Or "donate" as they like to say. Tertiary education is not free either and is one of the priciest in the world (mainly because its designed to fleece wealthy asian students)

Job security? We still have to work hard to stay employed. Its not like you can sit around with a bad attitude and a poor work ethic. And you may want to do some research on the state of our manufacturing industry and our various utilitys companies. There have been regular protests and strikes because of downsizing and retretchments. Our economy has been somewhat shaken lately too.

Prisoners here have better medical care and a higher standard of living than the majority of pensioners.

My point is that there is no perfect paradise. Mine is not a "wonderful story". I work hard, I pay taxes like anyone else. Yes I buy stuff but I prioritise and my perspective on my life and circumstances is not one of "Im trapped by a system". I am certainly in the system, but that is my choice.


Edit- and even though we do live in a wonderful country with it's many benefits, people still complain that they are trapped by the system which stops them from getting ahead.

I know there is no perfect place. I'm frequently reminded of that when Americans say "Well man if u don't like it here u can go to China". But you expect a certain level of human decency when you live in the wealthiest country ever in the history of the world... but it's really quite the opposite.

Anyway enough complaining about the US. It is what it is and it ain't what it ain't. To take yourself out of the system is the first step towards objectivity.

, I get taxed annually for owning a dog!

What's the justification for that? Is it more than just a dog license?

I get taxed annually for owning a dog!

What's the justification for that? Is it more than just a dog license?

I'm sure it is because the dog (no matter how small) takes up space. It is a small island after all.

And the people who slightly above poverty are offended when they hear that poor people have internet or that prisoners get food and TV.

Yes, I get offended when a woman with 15 kids refuses to get a job and demands more from the government. Certainly, the arguement can be made that she cant get a job with 15 kids, but birth control is readily available in the US in a variety of ways.

Yes, I am offended that prisoners will get taken care of medically better than I can provide for my wife and child. Because I am in fact above poverty level, so the cost insurance, healthcare, etc goes up.

Yes, I am offended when someone lives on there internet knowing that there food, housing, etc is all taken care of.

Being able to offended is important.

Why would you want to change something/see something change if it didnt bother you?

Lots of stuff bothers me, and I wouldnt pretend otherwise.

However I am not addicted to money, or things that money gets me, but I do enjoy both. I also enjoy my job, well most times, sometimes I dont. But work isnt always supposed to be enjoyable.

I also dont turn a blind eye to the facts though, and the fact is, in America, people confuse living simply by being a parasite off of everyone else and thats not the same thing at all.

If your living simply at someone elses expense, then the importance of money has not changed. Someone else is just footing the bill for your lazy ass.

Khaos wrote:

And the people who slightly above poverty are offended when they hear that poor people have internet or that prisoners get food and TV.

Yes, I get offended when a woman with 15 kids refuses to get a job and demands more from the government.

.

You're offended by a scenario that you invented.

Donkey wrote:

Khaos wrote:

And the people who slightly above poverty are offended when they hear that poor people have internet or that prisoners get food and TV.

Yes, I get offended when a woman with 15 kids refuses to get a job and demands more from the government.

.

You're offended by a scenario that you invented.

There was a guy in my area who had over 30 children, and is asking for a break in child support.

I have lived slightly below and slightly above the poverty line. I am not nor do I get upset about my financial problems. I use my money to buy exactly what I need, and I use whatever left to aid my community. There is no point in being offended, you can't bring money with you when you die. All that matters is that you are able to live and survive, to hell with what someone else wants. Being envious of others blinds you from what you have. Be happy for what you got, and live your life as best you can.

Whyte, you've completely disproven your "fiat money isn't real".

Kohadre wrote:

Donkey wrote:

Khaos wrote:

And the people who slightly above poverty are offended when they hear that poor people have internet or that prisoners get food and TV.

Yes, I get offended when a woman with 15 kids refuses to get a job and demands more from the government.

.

You're offended by a scenario that you invented.

There was a guy in my area who had over 30 children, and is asking for a break in child support.

Why does this offend you?

Seems like a few people on here don't understand the social contract... Here's a special video for you people:

Alethea Thompson wrote: Whyte, you've completely disproven your "fiat money isn't real".

That guy in the video is great!!!! Totally out of his mind, but great!
I have so many questions for him, like...why is he in a car? Is this one video or does he have a series of videos? Is he related to "ouch Charlie you bit my finger!"?
I certainly hope he is a millionaire, I could watch him all day

My heart goes out to people like that poor guy in the video. He seems to be genuine in his efforts to help others out of the reality that he perceives; the reality that has him trapped and causes so much misery in his life.

I wish I could help people like that find a path away from their sorrows and anguish. How awful it must be to feel so alone and isolated from everyone else… the only one able to see a particular truth and not know how to cure the issue.

I hope that people here know that there are members (the clergy)they can go to and talk with when the world seems to be so aweful or overwhelming.

Wes,
Funny how two people can watch a video and see two totally different things.
You see a torchered human being and I see a colorful guy getting on his modern day soapbox.
You see isolation and I see art.
And the great thing is neither of us is right and neither of us is wrong!
Although I hope you are wrong and the guy is not isolated and in anguish.

My heart goes out to people like that poor guy in the video. He seems to be genuine in his efforts to help others out of the reality that he perceives; the reality that has him trapped and causes so much misery in his life.

I wish I could help people like that find a path away from their sorrows and anguish. How awful it must be to feel so alone and isolated from everyone else… the only one able to see a particular truth and not know how to cure the issue.

I hope that people here know that there are members (the clergy)they can go to and talk with when the world seems to be so aweful or overwhelming.

Indeed, and it is important to note that we do not all share the same chains.

Money can be a problem for some, but for others, its simply not.

Our "battles" to fight are seldom the same.

I suppose there is no harm in warning people away from the trap you see and possibly have experienced. However there needs to also be the understanding that it may not be a trap for you.

Kind of like one time, when a recovering alcoholic was lecturing me for drinking, but...I I didnt share his addiction.

I am mindful of his trap though and dont drink around him, or keep it out in front of him, etc.

Some words from Daniel Suelo

Finding the Greatest Force in the Universe

This is the motivation I envision for a moneyless tribe, the motivation that trumps money. Where your heart is, there is your treasure. When your treasure is not elsewhere, not in the past or the future, but in the present, your heart is totally into what you are doing. "Do all things heartily as unto the Eternal Present." The Eternal Present is Lord over all. There can be no heart more powerful. Can a small tribe with this Strong Heart go over Jordan and conquer the land of Commerce? (Canaan means commerce, trade, and Canaanite means merchant, trader). Can a little guy conquer the Dragon of Leviathan (Leviathan the Dragon or Serpent symbolizes debt). Or is this an absurdity, wishful myths of the ancients? Who is willing to give up all treasures on earth, have all treasure in heaven, in the heart ("The Kingdom of Heaven is within you")? The Pure Heart is the Heart with no treasures on earth, the Heart which acts fully for the present, whose reward is in doing. The Pure Heart is the Strong Heart, the Divine Heart that conquers the delusional world.

You cannot work for both Reality and Mammon. You cannot work for both the Eternal Present and profit.
The word God can actually mean something other than the ridiculousness it has been imbibed with for centuries. The Eternal Present, beyond words. There is nothing and no one more powerful than the Eternal Present. Why work for anything or anyone else? I care not what you call it, even if you never ever use or like the word "God". It's better not to use or ever mention the word than to use it in vain. I don't hear that word used in vain as much as I do by droves of churches and politicians, even with zeal.

I love how the medieval Christian, Meister Eckhart, in his commentary on Jesus driving the merchants and moneychangers from the temple, used the word:

"...as long as we do any work at all for gain, as long as we desire anything God may have given or may give, we rank with these traders. Would you be free from any taint of trading with God? Then do what good you can and do it solely for God's glory, as free from it yourself as though you did not exist. Ask nothing whatever in return.... The traders are driven from the temple and God is there alone when one has no motive but God. See your temple cleared of traders. The man who is intent on God alone, and on God's glory, is truly free from any taint of commerce in his deeds..." [The Best of Meister Eckart, p. 44]

Do not all the religions teach this same principle?

When your religion is based on desire for heaven and fear of hell (credit and debt), you automatically will be the force behind commerce. When your religion is based upon even desire for enlightenment as future reward, you are going to be the force behind commerce, and you are the money-changer and merchant in the temple.

Conversely, when your religion is based upon love, you would rather love than go to heaven, and you give up all craving for future "salvation". You would forfeit heaven and go to hell for love. "Love" that desires to save its ass from hell and looks for heaven far away is not love. One day I realized the purpose of the concepts of heaven and hell--why such concepts exist. They are our test to prove our love. Love is not swayed, not burned or changed, but is refined by the fire of hell.

But "love" that desires heaven and fears hell is also a "love" obsessed with a Messiah in the past or a Messiah coming in the future, but cannot stand the idea of Messiah within, in the present. Such "love" cares not for the life of this earth, not for the environment, not for the animals and forests, not for the social justice of fellow human beings. Such "love" has no self respect, no personal responsibility. But such "love" parades itself in pious zeal. Love that is willing to forfeit its place in heaven for love's sake is the only love that exists. This is the only Love that casts away all fear--all fear of hell, all fear of others. Love realizes that the "Kingdom of Heaven is at hand," not some distant place and time, and that the "Kingdom of God is within you." Such love has no ulterior motivation, no desire to convert, no need to compete

NO not at all. there is no proper for anything other than what the masses agree upon and even that isnt proper in the sense that where one agrees others will disagree. Anyways, "the proper" is based upon your perception as to what you applying it too. If your looking for a way of standardization, like an order "to become this, you must become this" (this is a component that makes up a religion) then no i wouldn't agree to aestheticism to be such an important role because that would be living in an imagination. Unless however one agrees to continue to study and agree upon and accept what is realized and learned but if that were the case, the intelligent wouldn't be something to become something else, they would just become.

In other words, it doesn't make sense to deliberately follow a path, the true self just follows what is given. Their are no questions asked as to why but to whats next.