Are Americans, especially "Conservatives" just lazy?

My youngest son's 8th grade class was studying "money" two years ago. I remember going over some of his homework with him and reading the curriculum's definition of MONEY. It made great sense to me at the time, and I've often tried to find a similar description online- today I finally found it:

"... money isn’t real. It’s an abstraction, a symbol and symbols stand for something. So here’s what money stands for: work. Money is a symbol of work that has been done or a promise of work to be done. Since work symbolizes energy expended, in the past or the future, we can say that work = energy = money."

So, when people (especially conservatives) complain loudly about wanting to "keep" their money, despite the obvious benefits that "money" would bring them and others are they really saying that they don't want to expend any energy on others, or themselves?

I'm in my 50's and i distinctly remember politicians saying that the deficit was going to be dumped on "my generation"- just like so many say today- is this so unusual? How many people truly pay their own way through life without contributions from others who have gone before, and who spend the 'best' years of their lives working?

Don't we all have a responsibility for those who come after us- from the way we use or abuse the planet to the way we look after each other (or seek to avoid doing that)?


(the quote is from:http://liveyourdream-ownyourlife.com/the-metaphysics-of-money-part-1)

Pity those who say it are pursuing careers to make money too but are too thick to realize the irony of their situation. :think: :dunce: :rofl:

Conservative in the ruling class want to conserve their money. Liberals in the ruling class (I know, it's an oxymoron of sorts) will spread some of it around to the labor force, be liberal with it (it's never very liberal, just crumbs).

How much groceries are you buying?

Brilliant!

:shrug:

I'm clueless. (not a rare occurance)

As for my family, it's more than 2miles just to get to town.

But somehow I don't think that's your point.

:hi:

Every day I see hundreds of people using cars for trips that could easily be done on foot or on a bike; because they're, well, lazy.

Hell, I'm guilty of that offense myself sometimes.

geez... sometimes my slowness amazes me.

duh....:silly:

thanks for being so patient.

:hi:

If we could just get back to living in harmony with the Earth (and thereby each other), it will all make sense.

Meanwhile, the conservatives don't like admitting they LOVE socialism.

Just take away the socialistic roads and highways on which they drive their SUVs and see how many of them will volunteer to pay for them.

don't seem to rationally consider the legacy they're leaving to their children and grandchildren.

I watch the people protesting healthcare reform and wonder if for one moment they have considered the young families and children
without healthcare. The great generation that sacrificed so much during the Depression and WWII have mostly passed away. The seniors
now where once called The "ME" Generation for good reason. All they care about is ME, ME, ME.

As money is something for which one has worked, it's not unusual to feel entitled to it. There are many 'obvious benefits' that money can bring, and some would prefer to decide for themselves, or don't want to see their hard work go into a perceived inefficient bureaucracy, or for something that they wouldn't approve of (e.g. birth control in the case of the religious right). The major difference, when accounting for differences in socio-economic circumstances and general self-interest would be simply the differing opinions of who knows what's best. As it is generally known that government cannot do things as efficiently as self-interested people in a market economy, to what extent should we entrust our money to them? Considering it can help provide for inefficient people (which includes the sick and elderly) and can be advantageous in the case of monopolies (such as public highways, and the like) and since we can't rely on donations for what we consider a fair contribution we need to decide to what extent people need to be coerced (i.e. taxed) into paying a portion of their income. Hopefully there's enough of a balance between left and right to find a fairly equitable solution, considering both sides have valid viewpoints, and each side invariably tries to suppress the other in getting every concession possible. It's generally good to argue for one's ideals, as it keeps the balance, but to lump everyone together as lazy seems a bit hasty.

completely digested it, but the things that jumped out at me after the first reading were
(please bear with my attempt to voice this)....

Without a 'society' there is no money- or need for money. You want to eat? you supply your own food. You can't go to a store and purchase the 'fruit of someone elses labor' because you don't have or recognize you connection (or responsibility) to anyone other than yourself, and perhaps your own intimate circle.

Your "money" is worthless without someone to exchange labor/energy/promises of such with.

Many people have money that they have NOT worked for- inherited wealth, those who win, steal, or manipulate others-

The concept of 'work' in exchange for expended effort starts to fall apart with the advent of gambling, "Hollywood millionaires" CEO's, politicians, and any number of other "professions" which are the result of wealth without (or with outrageous compensation for) "work".

The benefits of community cannot be denied (even if it seems like we'd all be better off 'on our own') because no one exists for very long by themself.

And, life isn't "fair"- (which would apply to my complaint about wealth without work) - some people will contribute more tangibly to society than others, but everyone has a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness- don't they?

thanks for the reply-

Taxes are indeed needed, but there comes a limit which should never be passed. Its when taxes become so high that people cannot afford their own necessities and then some and when taxes dont go towards things that benefit communities in which the people that pay taxes can benefit from. Volunteerism is a great thing until it becomes corrupted by force. Also when we have deficits like we have today we somehow have to make it up, and that will involve one of two things, cut spending or raise taxes. Someday were going to have to solve this deficit problem and restore the original backing of the US dollar because our money is backed by faith that the government is somehow going to back it and debt to China.

accidental double post -_-