The U. S. is no longer the land of opportunity. Upward mobility has ended.

[Beachboy]

You're tone deaf.

The problem isn't that you want to raise everyone else's standard of living, the problem is that the means by which you want to do so will not work. Perhaps if you earned your own affluence you'd understand that.

I have seen this resentment before from those who just can't make the cut. How many people do you know that make well over six digits before age 32? Now you know one!

I appreciate the advantages I enjoy, but the question asked in business every day is "What have you done for us today." Clearly, it is not how you get the job that matters, it is what you do with it when you have it.

Sorry your career did not work out as you hoped, but from your negative attitude in posting, I can see why. There are only a limited number of seats in first class. Best to make your reservations before graduating from a top ranked university.

Not much more relaxing than a swim in your own back yard after work to relieve stress!​

 

[Beachboy]

The American people believe they can grow up in a shack, and die in a mansion. Gradients of improvement are not what people believe the American Dream is all about.

Speak for yourself before you can pretend to speak for 350+ million people you don't know....From what' I've seen, you have more than you can handle doing so little as that.

As the source in the OP points out a person in the bottom 20% economically only has a 17% chance of making it into the top 40%. That is the subject we are addressing here, not gradients of improvement.

Onoez!....People who try to do well will fail a lot...Oh, the horror!

Did I mention that I mow my own lawn and care for the landscaping myself every Saturday? There is a humbling reason for this that makes me feel good about myself. It is a family thing, my dad, grandfather, and great grandfather, and great, great grandfather all mowed their own lawns and cared for their yards. My children will do the same. A good sweat teaches a lesson about hard work in the hot sun. It helps keep it real.

Yeah, you already said that your primary emotional driver is guilt...So what?

You really should read the link in the OP before posting. You look pathetic. You are not arguing with me, you are arguing with Time magazine. However, I do agree with their point of view.

Actually, I think it is a "horror" that people who work hard, and try end up failing. What seems to be your problem that you don't get that?

Got your number though. You keep repeating inaccurate information in hopes that will make it true. It only reflects on your lack of education.

Uh-huh....Derek_Plumber used to do that one too.

Uh-huh....Derek_Plumber used to do that one too.

Simons, Derek Plumber - Hurricane Drain Svc & Plumbing in Polson | Simons, Derek Plumber - Hurricane Drain Svc & Plumbing (406) 883-7473 # P.O. Box 304, Polson, MT 59860 | <Real Estate/Other> - Yahoo! US Local

I fail to see what a Montana Hurricane specialist has to do with this thread. I also wonder why there would be a Hurricane specialist in land-locked Montana at all.

Did we forget to take our lithium today?

Guess I now understand why your username is "Oddball," huh? This is called a thread, and in it are postings. When you post, please post on the top. The topic of this thread is "The U. S. is no longer the land of opportunity. Upward mobility has ended." It is based upon this article from Time Magazine. http://http://business.time.com/2011/11/03/why-the-u-s-is-no-longer-the-land-of-opportunity/ For the sake of other posters, please catch up and stop wasting our time.

 

[Beachboy]

The OP

Last Friday night it was discussed on Bill Maher's Real Time that America's implied promise that if you worked hard you would own a home, and you could send your children to college is no longer true. This link is to a Time Magazine article that was quoted.

This hit me hard, and causes me to seek out your opinion.

Why the U.S. is No Longer the Land of Opportunity | TIME.com

"This week’s cover story in TIME by Rana Foroohar, titled What Ever Happened to Upward Mobility?, examines the opportunity gap in America and why it has gotten so uneven. A recent study from the Pew Charitable Trust found that Americans born in the a family that was one of the bottom fifth in terms of wealth, only had a 17% chance of making into the top two-fifths as an adult. It now appears, as Foroohar points out, that a number of recent studies have shown that it is now easier to move up the income ladder in Europe than it is in America. So much for the land of the opportunity."

​

 

[Moonglow]

no upward mobility, yeah it's tough, but, it's not impossible to live a good life. I was a high school dropout and I have 43 acres and a 2400 square foot home.

 

[Beachboy]

no upward mobility, yeah it's tough, but, it's not impossible to live a good life. I was a high school dropout and I have 43 acres and a 2400 square foot home.

Good for you, you deserve to be proud.

I remember when I was an intern. I had stopped in a quiet hotel bar on the way home to get away from it all. I struck up a conversation a man that was small talk and turned to business. Turned out he was the decision-maker for a corporation we wanted as a client. Eventually, the contact led to a meeting with our top execs.

I was talking with my boss, and told him I felt I had hardly been given real appreciation for my efforts, "beyond the call of duty." My boss responded, "It was not beyond the call of duty, it is the responsibility of every employee to be on the lookout for new business regardless of their job." I pulled back because he was correct. He went on, "Every employee is told "thank you" twice a month in their pay check. If this potential client becomes a client, your "thank you" will just appear in your check."

I never forgot that lesson. In addition when I am interviewing applicants, (they use me because I am younger and closer to the age of interns), I look for people who have struggled hard to get ahead. If my firm does not keep a balance of all different types of people, we will begin to atrophy, and lose the broader perspective. We require that every employee bring everything they have to every circumstance. We believe we are a well rounded organization, that is what clients need, not "yes" men.

 

[Cenere]

The U.S. hasn't been the land of opportunity in a long time. The economy forces people to live on very little, if anything, which means if you have kids you are just struggling enough to feed them, let alone send them to college.

 

[Mr Natural]

Upward mobility has not ended, but it does more difficult to obtain with each succeeding generation.

 

[Beachboy]

Upward mobility has not ended, but it does more difficult to obtain with each succeeding generation.

Not because Bill Clinton based his first term campaign on "Hope" but because it is part of the fabric of America. I think all of us come home after a rough day and think, "Tomorrow will be a better day."

What happens if we stop believing that. I fear there will be a feeling giving up on America. The facts speak for themselves. Unfortunately, I have no idea how we turn this situation around to give real hope to Americans.

 

[alan1]

Wrong, not motivated by guilt. Motivated by winning, and leisure time. Money will pretty much take care of itself if you are properly motivated.

Evidently,you have missed a major concept about life. "Where does it say that life is fair?" Winners make their own breaks, and do not believe in luck.

Says the guy with a rich dad.

Ahhhh...... AFFLUENCE, an easy thing to get hooked on. But, to those of us who are raised with it, we can afford to have any perspective we choose without relying on "struggle" to get us where we want to go. We are given the gift of perceiving life as a "challenge" rather than "struggle." We also get the best educations, so we are well prepared to deal with difficulties of the real world. No doubt, comfort is helpful when handling stress.

Which coincidentally brings us back to the topic in this thread. Upward mobility has slowed. Only 17% of those in the bottom economic bracket will die in a mansion. I find that to be a catastrophic ending of the American dream!

What was the question they asked liberal Shirley MacLaine? Oh yes, "How can you justify a political opinion that veers into Socialism, and then have millions in the bank? MacLaine responded, "I do not want to cut back my standard of living. I want to raise everyone elses!" I'm with Shirley. And certainly I am not going to apologize for being a member of an economically successful family. I appreciate it, and enjoy being able to give back to America rather than be a taker. I do not take it for granted.

The American people believe they can grow up in a shack, and die in a mansion. Gradients of improvement are not what people believe the American Dream is all about.

Speak for yourself before you can pretend to speak for 350+ million people you don't know....From what' I've seen, you have more than you can handle doing so little as that.



Onoez!....People who try to do well will fail a lot...Oh, the horror!


Yeah, you already said that your primary emotional driver is guilt...So what?

You really should read the link in the OP before posting. You look pathetic. You are not arguing with me, you are arguing with Time magazine. However, I do agree with their point of view.

Actually, I think it is a "horror" that people who work hard, and try end up failing. What seems to be your problem that you don't get that?

Got your number though. You keep repeating inaccurate information in hopes that will make it true. It only reflects on your lack of education.

Uh-huh....Derek_Plumber used to do that one too.

Uh-huh....Derek_Plumber used to do that one too.

Simons, Derek Plumber - Hurricane Drain Svc & Plumbing in Polson | Simons, Derek Plumber - Hurricane Drain Svc & Plumbing (406) 883-7473 # P.O. Box 304, Polson, MT 59860 | <Real Estate/Other> - Yahoo! US Local

I fail to see what a Montana Hurricane specialist has to do with this thread. I also wonder why there would be a Hurricane specialist in land-locked Montana at all.

Did we forget to take our lithium today?

Guess I now understand why your username is "Oddball," huh? This is called a thread, and in it are postings. When you post, please post on the top. The topic of this thread is "The U. S. is no longer the land of opportunity. Upward mobility has ended." It is based upon this article from Time Magazine. http://http://business.time.com/2011/11/03/why-the-u-s-is-no-longer-the-land-of-opportunity/ For the sake of other posters, please catch up and stop wasting our time.

You say it ended, you say it has slowed, you say it has ended. Now you are arguing with yourself.

The fact remains, 17% born in the bottom 1/5 end up in the top 2/5. that alone is proof that it hasn't ended.

 

[asterism]

You're tone deaf.

The problem isn't that you want to raise everyone else's standard of living, the problem is that the means by which you want to do so will not work. Perhaps if you earned your own affluence you'd understand that.

I have seen this resentment before from those who just can't make the cut. How many people do you know that make well over six digits before age 32? Now you know one!

I appreciate the advantages I enjoy, but the question asked in business every day is "What have you done for us today." Clearly, it is not how you get the job that matters, it is what you do with it when you have it.

Sorry your career did not work out as you hoped, but from your negative attitude in posting, I can see why. There are only a limited number of seats in first class. Best to make your reservations before graduating from a top ranked university.

Not much more relaxing than a swim in your own back yard after work to relieve stress!​

Here's your entire quote, conforming with the board rules.

Breaking it up to address your points:

I have seen this resentment before from those who just can't make the cut. How many people do you know that make well over six digits before age 32? Now you know one!

I don't know you.

I do personally know about 100 such people, and most of us (you get that right? Us?) made well over $100K in our early 30s without rich Dads.

I appreciate the advantages I enjoy, but the question asked in business every day is "What have you done for us today." Clearly, it is not how you get the job that matters, it is what you do with it when you have it.

On that, we agree. Some of those in my circle who are are turtles on fenceposts, it's a bit of a problem for them. They have unlimited possibilities and have no idea how to build on their advantages. You think you do and God bless you for it. Spend your own money working your vision and let me know how it works out, okay?

Sorry your career did not work out as you hoped, but from your negative attitude in posting, I can see why. There are only a limited number of seats in first class. Best to make your reservations before graduating from a top ranked university.

I'm glad my career didn't work out as I hoped back when I was 28 or so. It would mean a nice $150K job for life, and always working at the behest of someone else. Frankly, I couldn't live my current lifestyle if I had to take a paycut and have that salary.

I'm not sure how you formed the opinion that I was not financially successful, but that method was flawed. Just like your ideas on egalitarian opportunity (as long as you get to keep what someone else gave you of course).

 

[asterism]

no upward mobility, yeah it's tough, but, it's not impossible to live a good life. I was a high school dropout and I have 43 acres and a 2400 square foot home.

Good for you, you deserve to be proud.

I remember when I was an intern. I had stopped in a quiet hotel bar on the way home to get away from it all. I struck up a conversation a man that was small talk and turned to business. Turned out he was the decision-maker for a corporation we wanted as a client. Eventually, the contact led to a meeting with our top execs.

I was talking with my boss, and told him I felt I had hardly been given real appreciation for my efforts, "beyond the call of duty." My boss responded, "It was not beyond the call of duty, it is the responsibility of every employee to be on the lookout for new business regardless of their job." I pulled back because he was correct. He went on, "Every employee is told "thank you" twice a month in their pay check. If this potential client becomes a client, your "thank you" will just appear in your check."

I never forgot that lesson. In addition when I am interviewing applicants, (they use me because I am younger and closer to the age of interns), I look for people who have struggled hard to get ahead. If my firm does not keep a balance of all different types of people, we will begin to atrophy, and lose the broader perspective. We require that every employee bring everything they have to every circumstance. We believe we are a well rounded organization, that is what clients need, not "yes" men.

This perspective contradicts the perspective espoused in the OP.

Good for you on this post though.

 

[Beachboy]

You're tone deaf.

The problem isn't that you want to raise everyone else's standard of living, the problem is that the means by which you want to do so will not work. Perhaps if you earned your own affluence you'd understand that.

I have seen this resentment before from those who just can't make the cut. How many people do you know that make well over six digits before age 32? Now you know one!

I appreciate the advantages I enjoy, but the question asked in business every day is "What have you done for us today." Clearly, it is not how you get the job that matters, it is what you do with it when you have it.

Sorry your career did not work out as you hoped, but from your negative attitude in posting, I can see why. There are only a limited number of seats in first class. Best to make your reservations before graduating from a top ranked university.

Not much more relaxing than a swim in your own back yard after work to relieve stress!​

Here's your entire quote, conforming with the board rules.

Breaking it up to address your points:



I don't know you.

I do personally know about 100 such people, and most of us (you get that right? Us?) made well over $100K in our early 30s without rich Dads.

I appreciate the advantages I enjoy, but the question asked in business every day is "What have you done for us today." Clearly, it is not how you get the job that matters, it is what you do with it when you have it.

On that, we agree. Some of those in my circle who are are turtles on fenceposts, it's a bit of a problem for them. They have unlimited possibilities and have no idea how to build on their advantages. You think you do and God bless you for it. Spend your own money working your vision and let me know how it works out, okay?

Sorry your career did not work out as you hoped, but from your negative attitude in posting, I can see why. There are only a limited number of seats in first class. Best to make your reservations before graduating from a top ranked university.

I'm glad my career didn't work out as I hoped back when I was 28 or so. It would mean a nice $150K job for life, and always working at the behest of someone else. Frankly, I couldn't live my current lifestyle if I had to take a paycut and have that salary.

I'm not sure how you formed the opinion that I was not financially successful, but that method was flawed. Just like your ideas on egalitarian opportunity (as long as you get to keep what someone else gave you of course).

My family's financial health may have opened some doors, but just like everyone else, I am judged for my accomplishments. Your posting sounds like "Me Too." In fact, in college I wondered if some professors were harder on me because of my socioeconomic level. Anyway you look at it, I had to do the work, and there were students that had father's higher up the food chain than my dad.

I read what you posted. Frankly, I don't believe you. I grew up knowing how the $75,000 a year guy differed from the $150,000 a year guy, and the $300,000 a year guy. You don't have the communications skills of a $150,000 guy. And, your line about knowing a hundred people making $100,000 a year by age 30 on their own. Well........ bull shit.

I remember throwing a party some years ago, my parents were there, and so was the father of a friend, old Arie Walgreen. Arie seemed to want to impress my father and was telling my dad a story about how he had built Walgreens, and that he had flown in for the day on his private jet.

My father listened politely, and when he left he remarked. "Watch out for that guy. No matter what you have, he has just a little bit better. I'd get rid him." These people are easy to spot, and shut down. The first thing any successful self-made, Nouveau Riche does is attempt to acquire culture and class. Do they read the New York Times or the Washington Post daily? What books have they read in the last month? What is their favorite PBS show? I find you lacking in these area. It comes right through the computer in your posts. My conclusion is "small timer."

People who have money, I mean real money, are busy enjoying life. Anyone who tells you they 'made it all on their own' is lying. There is no such thing as a self-made person - everyone gets some help from someone at some time. One looks for genuine humility, that is a strong indicator of success. Their accomplishments speak louder than words. Remember, if you let people know you have money, they will always try to get you to invest in something.

 

[asterism]

I have seen this resentment before from those who just can't make the cut. How many people do you know that make well over six digits before age 32? Now you know one!

I appreciate the advantages I enjoy, but the question asked in business every day is "What have you done for us today." Clearly, it is not how you get the job that matters, it is what you do with it when you have it.

Sorry your career did not work out as you hoped, but from your negative attitude in posting, I can see why. There are only a limited number of seats in first class. Best to make your reservations before graduating from a top ranked university.

Not much more relaxing than a swim in your own back yard after work to relieve stress!​

Here's your entire quote, conforming with the board rules.

Breaking it up to address your points:



I don't know you.

I do personally know about 100 such people, and most of us (you get that right? Us?) made well over $100K in our early 30s without rich Dads.



On that, we agree. Some of those in my circle who are are turtles on fenceposts, it's a bit of a problem for them. They have unlimited possibilities and have no idea how to build on their advantages. You think you do and God bless you for it. Spend your own money working your vision and let me know how it works out, okay?

Sorry your career did not work out as you hoped, but from your negative attitude in posting, I can see why. There are only a limited number of seats in first class. Best to make your reservations before graduating from a top ranked university.

I'm glad my career didn't work out as I hoped back when I was 28 or so. It would mean a nice $150K job for life, and always working at the behest of someone else. Frankly, I couldn't live my current lifestyle if I had to take a paycut and have that salary.

I'm not sure how you formed the opinion that I was not financially successful, but that method was flawed. Just like your ideas on egalitarian opportunity (as long as you get to keep what someone else gave you of course).

My family's financial health may have opened some doors, but just like everyone else, I am judged for my accomplishments. Your posting sounds like "Me Too." In fact, in college I wondered if some professors were harder on me because of my socioeconomic level. Anyway you look at it, I had to do the work, and there were students that had father's higher up the food chain than my dad.

I read what you posted. Frankly, I don't believe you. I grew up knowing how the $75,000 a year guy differed from the $150,000 a year guy, and the $300,000 a year guy. You don't have the communications skills of a $150,000 guy. And, your line about knowing a hundred people making $100,000 a year by age 30 on their own. Well........ bull shit.

I remember throwing a party some years ago, my parents were there, and so was the father of a friend, old Arie Walgreen. Arie seemed to want to impress my father and was telling my dad a story about how he had built Walgreens, and that he had flown in for the day on his private jet.

My father listened politely, and when he left he remarked. "Watch out for that guy. No matter what you have, he has just a little bit better. I'd get rid him." These people are easy to spot, and shut down. The first thing any successful self-made, Nouveau Riche does is attempt to acquire culture and class. Do they read the New York Times or the Washington Post daily? What books have they read in the last month? What is their favorite PBS show? I find you lacking in these area. It comes right through the computer in your posts. My conclusion is "small timer."

People who have money, I mean real money, are busy enjoying life. Anyone who tells you they 'made it all on their own' is lying. There is no such thing as a self-made person - everyone gets some help from someone at some time. One looks for genuine humility, that is a strong indicator of success. Their accomplishments speak louder than words. Remember, if you let people know you have money, they will always try to get you to invest in something.

If you aren't going to accept what I say then there is no reason to continue talking to you.

 

[OnePercenter]

Most A/C contractors in my area have no college, and all of the ones surveyed make over $100K per year.

Thank you, but I would prefer to make my living sitting in an air conditioned office rather than spend the summer heat in someone's attic putting in A/C ducts. Those A/C contractors earn their money the hard way in my book.

Most self-made millionaires earned it the hard way. So now you want upward mobility but in comfort? That takes hard work, luck, and not looking for a career to be handed to you. The chances are very good of "making enough to support a family, a mortgage, and anything close to the 'America Dream' but you have to be willing to work.

Very few (if any) self-made millionaires have ever worked hard, we work smart, that's what makes us millionaires.

 

[OnePercenter]

Let's see if there are any prospective millionaires on this board.

Question: You only need two things to become a successful entrepreneur. Name the two.

 

[alan1]

Let's see if there are any prospective millionaires on this board.

Question: You only need two things to become a successful entrepreneur. Name the two.

I'd say a good (new) idea and the drive to implement it.

Disruptive technology is almost always successful.

Thousands of years ago men hunted meat with a spear. They had to get within a few feet of their formidable prey (antlers, horns, teeth, hooves), putting themselves at risk. Then, some guy invented the bow and arrow, substantially reducing that risk. Then the gun, further reducing the risk and way more effective. Both examples of disruptive technology.
Flash forward a few thousand years.
25 years ago, you could find a phone booth within a few blocks of anywhere you were, so you could make a phone call. Then, some guy invented the cellular phone. You could carry your phone and make a phone call whenever you wanted to. How often do you see a phone booth these days? Another example of disruptive technology.
When Bill Gates said he saw a world where every house had a personal computer people told him he was crazy. He helped make it a possibility because he was as crazy as they said. Again, disruptive technology.

 

[rdean]

Last Friday night it was discussed on Bill Maher's Real Time that America's implied promise that if you worked hard you would own a home, and you could send your children to college is no longer true. This link is to a Time Magazine article that was quoted.

This hit me hard, and causes me to seek out your opinion.

Why the U.S. is No Longer the Land of Opportunity | TIME.com

"This week&#8217;s cover story in TIME by Rana Foroohar, titled What Ever Happened to Upward Mobility?, examines the opportunity gap in America and why it has gotten so uneven. A recent study from the Pew Charitable Trust found that Americans born in the a family that was one of the bottom fifth in terms of wealth, only had a 17% chance of making into the top two-fifths as an adult. It now appears, as Foroohar points out, that a number of recent studies have shown that it is now easier to move up the income ladder in Europe than it is in America. So much for the land of the opportunity."

​

This is what Republicans have been working hard at for the last 50 years. Don't ask me why, but you can see it in their support the rich, grind down the poor, screw the middle class, defund education and go to war over oil policies. They aren't even trying to hide it. As long as they can get their base to "vote white" and believe "you can do it on your own and anything else is socialism".

 

[Oddball]

I have seen this resentment before from those who just can't make the cut. How many people do you know that make well over six digits before age 32? Now you know one!

I appreciate the advantages I enjoy, but the question asked in business every day is "What have you done for us today." Clearly, it is not how you get the job that matters, it is what you do with it when you have it.

Sorry your career did not work out as you hoped, but from your negative attitude in posting, I can see why. There are only a limited number of seats in first class. Best to make your reservations before graduating from a top ranked university.

Not much more relaxing than a swim in your own back yard after work to relieve stress!​

Here's your entire quote, conforming with the board rules.

Breaking it up to address your points:



I don't know you.

I do personally know about 100 such people, and most of us (you get that right? Us?) made well over $100K in our early 30s without rich Dads.



On that, we agree. Some of those in my circle who are are turtles on fenceposts, it's a bit of a problem for them. They have unlimited possibilities and have no idea how to build on their advantages. You think you do and God bless you for it. Spend your own money working your vision and let me know how it works out, okay?

Sorry your career did not work out as you hoped, but from your negative attitude in posting, I can see why. There are only a limited number of seats in first class. Best to make your reservations before graduating from a top ranked university.

I'm glad my career didn't work out as I hoped back when I was 28 or so. It would mean a nice $150K job for life, and always working at the behest of someone else. Frankly, I couldn't live my current lifestyle if I had to take a paycut and have that salary.

I'm not sure how you formed the opinion that I was not financially successful, but that method was flawed. Just like your ideas on egalitarian opportunity (as long as you get to keep what someone else gave you of course).

My family's financial health may have opened some doors, but just like everyone else, I am judged for my accomplishments. Your posting sounds like "Me Too." In fact, in college I wondered if some professors were harder on me because of my socioeconomic level. Anyway you look at it, I had to do the work, and there were students that had father's higher up the food chain than my dad.

I read what you posted. Frankly, I don't believe you. I grew up knowing how the $75,000 a year guy differed from the $150,000 a year guy, and the $300,000 a year guy. You don't have the communications skills of a $150,000 guy. And, your line about knowing a hundred people making $100,000 a year by age 30 on their own. Well........ bull shit.

I remember throwing a party some years ago, my parents were there, and so was the father of a friend, old Arie Walgreen. Arie seemed to want to impress my father and was telling my dad a story about how he had built Walgreens, and that he had flown in for the day on his private jet.

My father listened politely, and when he left he remarked. "Watch out for that guy. No matter what you have, he has just a little bit better. I'd get rid him." These people are easy to spot, and shut down. The first thing any successful self-made, Nouveau Riche does is attempt to acquire culture and class. Do they read the New York Times or the Washington Post daily? What books have they read in the last month? What is their favorite PBS show? I find you lacking in these area. It comes right through the computer in your posts. My conclusion is "small timer."

People who have money, I mean real money, are busy enjoying life. Anyone who tells you they 'made it all on their own' is lying. There is no such thing as a self-made person - everyone gets some help from someone at some time. One looks for genuine humility, that is a strong indicator of success. Their accomplishments speak louder than words. Remember, if you let people know you have money, they will always try to get you to invest in something.

Through working at numerous country clubs in my younger years, I've literally met and interacted with hundreds of wealthy people....To a man and woman, not a one of them talked shit about how much they made, how "cultured" they were or looked down their noses at hard working people.

You're nothing but the same broke dick poseur that you were the last time you retreaded, Sockboy.

 

[Beachboy]

Here's your entire quote, conforming with the board rules.

Breaking it up to address your points:



I don't know you.

I do personally know about 100 such people, and most of us (you get that right? Us?) made well over $100K in our early 30s without rich Dads.



On that, we agree. Some of those in my circle who are are turtles on fenceposts, it's a bit of a problem for them. They have unlimited possibilities and have no idea how to build on their advantages. You think you do and God bless you for it. Spend your own money working your vision and let me know how it works out, okay?



I'm glad my career didn't work out as I hoped back when I was 28 or so. It would mean a nice $150K job for life, and always working at the behest of someone else. Frankly, I couldn't live my current lifestyle if I had to take a paycut and have that salary.

I'm not sure how you formed the opinion that I was not financially successful, but that method was flawed. Just like your ideas on egalitarian opportunity (as long as you get to keep what someone else gave you of course).

My family's financial health may have opened some doors, but just like everyone else, I am judged for my accomplishments. Your posting sounds like "Me Too." In fact, in college I wondered if some professors were harder on me because of my socioeconomic level. Anyway you look at it, I had to do the work, and there were students that had father's higher up the food chain than my dad.

I read what you posted. Frankly, I don't believe you. I grew up knowing how the $75,000 a year guy differed from the $150,000 a year guy, and the $300,000 a year guy. You don't have the communications skills of a $150,000 guy. And, your line about knowing a hundred people making $100,000 a year by age 30 on their own. Well........ bull shit.

I remember throwing a party some years ago, my parents were there, and so was the father of a friend, old Arie Walgreen. Arie seemed to want to impress my father and was telling my dad a story about how he had built Walgreens, and that he had flown in for the day on his private jet.

My father listened politely, and when he left he remarked. "Watch out for that guy. No matter what you have, he has just a little bit better. I'd get rid him." These people are easy to spot, and shut down. The first thing any successful self-made, Nouveau Riche does is attempt to acquire culture and class. Do they read the New York Times or the Washington Post daily? What books have they read in the last month? What is their favorite PBS show? I find you lacking in these area. It comes right through the computer in your posts. My conclusion is "small timer."

People who have money, I mean real money, are busy enjoying life. Anyone who tells you they 'made it all on their own' is lying. There is no such thing as a self-made person - everyone gets some help from someone at some time. One looks for genuine humility, that is a strong indicator of success. Their accomplishments speak louder than words. Remember, if you let people know you have money, they will always try to get you to invest in something.

Through working at numerous country clubs in my younger years, I've literally met and interacted with hundreds of wealthy people....To a man and woman, not a one of them talked shit about how much they made, how "cultured" they were or looked down their noses at hard working people.

You're nothing but the same broke dick poseur that you were the last time you retreaded, Sockboy.

This is what I find interesting about USMB. One minute this poster "knows hundreds of people who made six digits in their early 30s. The next he was a waiter at a country club. I suspect only the latter may be true. It also could explain why Oddball resents financially healthy people. He evidenly spent years kissing moneyed ass for tips! You do spend an inordinate amount of time talking about "looking down their noses at hard working people." Have you seen a doctor about that obsession. You sound like a "trust fund baby, wannabe" to me.

I do agree with Oddball on one point they do not talk about how much money they have made, but they do want to talk to others as to how they can make more. Our family was once invited to a country club for a l'ook see' about joining. My father wisely decide not to spend thousand of dollars every year on country club membership, and opted instead for a swimming pool. My mother liked being able to watch the kids, and our home became a summertime gathering place.

As to name-calling I consider the source, and throw it away. I will object to the use of the word "retard." As any well-informed person knows mental health care professionals label this word in the category of the "Nword." In fact mental health professionals have produced a public service announcement. But, considering your lack of class and culture, your ignorance is to be anticipated.

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[Oddball]

Wasn't a waiter, Derek, and you're still a poseur and a sock puppet.