SECOND GENERATION WEALTH BRINGS DETACHMENT AND “UNRELATABILITY”
& TRUMP’S CHAOTIC PERSONA FULLY ENSHRINED - THE REALITY TV PARTY
I postulate that second generation wealth leads to problems in those of this position. It is difficult to imagine most within this group facing the day to day difficulties that an average middle income American might, hence personal growth may well be stunted very early in life. There now has been multi-generations of wealth among a handful in this country. We see many of these people active in power plays within our government. Their ideas are sometimes very whacky, and there generally is an anti government sentiment prevailing. And those wealthy we veer from this script tend to be demonized politically, with conspiracy theories developed toward them. This verse was meant to address this notion I have, of which I find little evidence to discount as a fairly true and accurate stereotype.
A word search of “greed” on X brought forth the following, of which I find applicable to my argument.
I found some older quotes on “wealth” from Forty Thousand Sublime and Beautiful Thoughts which still hold water in my opinion. The biographical information is from Wikipedia.
“All wealth is the product of labor.”
-Locke.
John Locke FRS (29 August 1632 – 28 October 1704) was an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers and commonly known as the "father of liberalism". Considered one of the first of the British empiricists, following the tradition of Francis Bacon, Locke is equally important to social contract theory. His work greatly affected the development of epistemology and political philosophy. His writings influenced Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and many Scottish Enlightenment thinkers, as well as the American Revolutionaries. His contributions to classical republicanism and liberal theory are reflected in the United States Declaration of Independence. Internationally, Locke's political-legal principles continue to have a profound influence on the theory and practice of limited representative government and the protection of basic rights and freedoms under the rule of law.
“That man has the fewest wants who is the least anxious for wealth.”
- Publius Syrus.
Publilius Syrus (fl. 85–43 BC) was a Latin writer, best known for his sententiae. He was a Syrian from Antioch who was brought as a slave to Roman Italy. Syrus was brought to Rome on the same ship that brought a certain Manilius, astronomer - not the famous Manilius of the 1st century AD (see Pliny, NH X, 4-5), and Staberius Eros the grammarian. By his wit and talent, Syrus won the favour of his master, who granted him manumission and educated him. He became a member of the Publilia gens. Publilius' name, due to the palatalization of 'l' between two 'i's in the Early Middle Ages, is often presented by manuscripts (and some printed editions) in corrupt form as 'Publius', Publius being a very common Roman praenomen.
“Wealth is the smallest thing on earth, the least gift that God has be stowed on mankind.”
- Martin Luther.
Martin Luther OSA ( 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, professor, and Augustinian friar. He was the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation, and his theological beliefs form the basis of Lutheranism.
“A man can no more make a safe use of wealth without reason than he can of a horse without a bridle.”
- Socrates.
Socrates (c. 470–399 BC) was a Greek philosopher from Athens who is credited as the founder of Western philosophy and among the first moral philosophers of the ethical tradition of thought. An enigmatic figure, Socrates authored no texts and is known mainly through the posthumous accounts of classical writers, particularly his students Plato and Xenophon. These accounts are written as dialogues, in which Socrates and his interlocutors examine a subject in the style of question and answer; they gave rise to the Socratic dialogue literary genre. Contradictory accounts of Socrates make a reconstruction of his philosophy nearly impossible, a situation known as the Socratic problem. Socrates was a polarizing figure in Athenian society. In 399 BC, he was accused of impiety and corrupting the youth. After a trial that lasted a day, he was sentenced to death. He spent his last day in prison, refusing offers to help him escape.
“Wealth cannot purchase any great private solace or convenience. Riches are only the means of sociality.”
— Henry D. Thoreau.
Henry David Thoreau (July 12, 1817 – May 6, 1862) was an American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher. A leading transcendentalist, he is best known for his book Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay "Civil Disobedience" (originally published as "Resistance to Civil Government"), an argument for disobedience to an unjust state.
For my second verse, I have once again thought of Trump and his acolytes as if they are always being within a reality TV show ongoing day to day. Certainly the US House Speakership last January and in the last few days had a strong reality TV feel to it. I must admit that I was never a fan of reality TV in any form, so perhaps I’m too biased in all this. But in any case here is what I have as my second verse:
A term-search of “stupid drama” on X yielded these various posts, most relating to today’s Republican Party in the eyes of others. I thought this would be worthwhile in the discussion.
That is what I’ve come up with. I must say that my pool of ideas is fished out more and more. But I’ll come up with something each week to concentrate upon. I must admit I’m very tired of the Americans living in the land of political and civic ignorance. In many cases they could help themselves out with a search engine search here and there, but many are so convinced they are right, they would never risk the thought of being wrong and adapt accordingly. I have no answers for this. Thanks for reading.
101st posting, October 5, 2023