Harm of entitlement

[Caveman Catfan]

Do you believe the wealthy can be psychologically harmed by their wealth and a sense of entitlement? How so? If so, how prevalent do you think that condition exhibits?

Do you believe that people who benefit from entitlement programs can be psychologically harmed by those programs? How so? If so, how prevalent is that condition among those receiving entitlements?

If you believe both have caused harm, can you compare and contrast those harms?

I am curious how people see these things.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

Is this going to be on the test?

 

[SDC888]

Same harm, prevalent and extremely pervasive, and self-evidently so.

In both you are taking away purpose, i.e. the desire to better one's self. In the former, things are too easy, so there's no need. In the latter, things are too hard, but made "good enough," so there's no need.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Good question. I think it can apply both ways but does not apply in all cases either way. I’ve known rich people who worked hard for all they have and poor folks who used assistance temporarily until they’re back on their feet.

Someone born rich who stayed rich via inheritance or being handed an executive position at daddy’s company doesn’t know what it’s like to struggle or wonder where their next meal is coming from. Living a life of privilege with little to no struggle leads these folks to feel entitled and as if they’re better than everyone else because they/their family has more money.

On the other side of the coin, some folks with nothing don’t work at a job but work the system. For example, a poor woman who keeps having babies with random men to increase her monthly government check or the guy who broke his big toe 17 years ago, collects disability and supplements his government income by selling his pain pills and stealing copper. This type doesn’t think they need to work because they can “get by” for free.

It’s definitely entitlement at each end of the spectrum.

 

[hmt5000]

Absolutely. Most wealthy families go broke within 3 generations. Most poor folks who get on government dole will end up having 90% of their children and grandchildren also be poor. It's a proven cycle throughout history.

 

[LordEggForgotHisPassword]

You know what's hard on people? Being ignorant.

 

[HeismaNole]

The wealthy become disconnected from normalcy and current state of economy for others. I've seen it time and time again. When you get accustomed to things, you get further removed from what everyone else is dealing with and makes it harder to relate and connect. Like I had a boss who casually had a wine subscription that equaled my monthly salary and she would just order it in the car like she was placing an order for a pizza. Had another boss who acted like a $6K commission was no big deal (the amount he screwed over a coworker by comping something for a client later).

On the other end of the spectrum, yes, we clearly see generations of government dependent people who never work to get out of that dependency.

 

[catsfanbgky]

Just think of the term "do you know who I am ?", not very many poor people try that line out. Mega rich think the laws are different for them. Payoffs, bribes, and those things. Not ALL, but MOST. And usually their kids are the worst. But to some degree, with wealth comes a bit of entitlement, just the way it is. they get buildings named after them for contributions, charity donations and what not.

 

[FtWorthCat]

They call it "affluenza" here in Texas. That is why I have no problem with people like Paris Hilton and Donald Trump paying an inheritance tax. I would certainly never vote for either of them as President.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Just think of the term "do you know who I am ?”

I have had this said to me twice in my life when I was young and working service jobs. Ran all over me both times.

My response both times was, “No. And I don’t really care who you are.”

One of them was some former prominent local lawyer and the other one, you’ll love this, was Gene Birk of WBKO. Bro, you’ve been the lead anchor in the BG market for at least 30 years. You ain’t important. Lol.

 

[Tskware]

One of the best arguments I have heard against entitlement programs is that it tends to degrade or denigrate the accomplishments of someone from from a disadvantaged background.

There's always the whisper behind their back that they only got their position because they were black or a woman or a Hispanic or whatever.

 

[catsfanbgky]

I have had this said to me twice in my life when I was young and working service jobs. Ran all over me both times.

My response both times was, “No. And I don’t really care who you are.”

One of them was some former prominent local lawyer and the other one, you’ll love this, was Gene Birk of WBKO. Bro, you’ve been the lead anchor in the BG market for at least 30 years. You ain’t important. Lol.

Should have asked Gene Birk about getting his ass kicked / nose broke over a softball game. Dudes face was all kinds of jacked up. LOL, similar story, Chris Allen tried to big time me one time when he was TRYING to buy a used mini van. After that ordeal, he came in the store to get a vehicle to drive for the Xmas parade, he was a lot more humble.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Just think of the term "do you know who I am ?", not very many poor people try that line out. Mega rich think the laws are different for them. Payoffs, bribes, and those things. Not ALL, but MOST. And usually their kids are the worst. But to some degree, with wealth comes a bit of entitlement, just the way it is. they get buildings named after them for contributions, charity donations and what not.

Is that the only harm of entitlements, pride?

 

[chroix]

Is that the only harm of entitlements, pride?

The example he is giving is a sense of pride that you are better than other people below your station and that they should inherently recognize it. You shouldn’t ask people to state opinions and then boil someone’s take down to a one word misrepresentation because it isn’t confirming your take.

Money doesn’t automatically change people but it sure seems to smooth the path towards elitism.

 

[catsfanbgky]

The example he is giving is a sense of pride that you are better than other people below your station and that they should inherently recognize it. You shouldn’t ask people to state opinions and then boil someone’s take down to a one word misrepresentation because it isn’t confirming your take.

Money doesn’t automatically change people but it sure seems to smooth the path towards elitism.

Thank you. At least one person can read and comprehend. I wasn't agreeing to it, just stating it happens.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

The example he is giving is a sense of pride that you are better than other people below your station and that they should inherently recognize it. You shouldn’t ask people to state opinions and then boil someone’s take down to a one word misrepresentation because it isn’t confirming your take.

Money doesn’t automatically change people but it sure seems to smooth the path towards elitism.

Wow, why so triggered by a single question? I did not reject the opinion, I just noted it was limited to one group and to one claimed harm.

I did not realize follow up questions were not permitted. I will recheck the terms of agreement and try to do better.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Thank you. At least one person can read and comprehend. I wasn't agreeing to it, just stating it happens.

Explain how my follow up question demonstrated an inability to comprehend.

Thanks.

 

[chroix]

Wow, why so triggered by a single question? I did not reject the opinion, I just noted it was limited to one group and to one claimed harm.

I did not realize follow up questions were not permitted. I will recheck the terms of agreement and try to do better.

Nobody’s “triggered” bud. But you have a real bad habit of asking questions and then posting reductive responses when you’re not happy with the replies you get. Like this one and the one I quoted. I’m sure you’ll reduce this down to “he big mad” instead of “I’m kind of a dismissive asshole”.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

My maternal grandfather was one of eight children to a sharecropper who grew up in a three room shotgun shack. Dropped out of school in the sixth grade to work. He was a coal truck driver and farmed tobacco on the side. He raised three daughters who all went on to college and good middle class lives. He was not a rich man and worked hard for what they had but always pushed my mother and my aunts from a young age about education, education, education and it being the key to a better life.

But what they did have, the little home and plot of land, would not have been possible for him without the GI Bill. So in that regard entitlements do work.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Nobody’s “triggered” bud. But you have a real bad habit of asking questions and then posting reductive responses when you’re not happy with the replies you get. Like this one and the one I quoted. I’m sure you’ll reduce this down to “he big mad” instead of “I’m kind of a dismissive asshole”.

Who said I was not “happy” with the response? Go be a jerk to someone else.

By the way, I agree with his statement. I just had a follow up question.

You are really off.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

I have had this said to me twice in my life when I was young and working service jobs. Ran all over me both times.

My response both times was, “No. And I don’t really care who you are.”

One of them was some former prominent local lawyer and the other one, you’ll love this, was Gene Birk of WBKO. Bro, you’ve been the lead anchor in the BG market for at least 30 years. You ain’t important. Lol.

Is there such a thing as being a big deal in Bowling Green?

 

[BankerCat12]

Good question. I think it can apply both ways but does not apply in all cases either way. I’ve known rich people who worked hard for all they have and poor folks who used assistance temporarily until they’re back on their feet.

Someone born rich who stayed rich via inheritance or being handed an executive position at daddy’s company doesn’t know what it’s like to struggle or wonder where their next meal is coming from. Living a life of privilege with little to no struggle leads these folks to feel entitled and as if they’re better than everyone else because they/their family has more money.

On the other side of the coin, some folks with nothing don’t work at a job but work the system. For example, a poor woman who keeps having babies with random men to increase her monthly government check or the guy who broke his big toe 17 years ago, collects disability and supplements his government income by selling his pain pills and stealing copper. This type doesn’t think they need to work because they can “get by” for free.

It’s definitely entitlement at each end of the spectrum.

Like a scene from a crazy thriller. America doesn’t have those types of folks living here.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Is there such a thing as being a big deal in Bowling Green?

Apparently if you broadcast the local news for 30 years in a third-rate TV market, you are a huge deal.