Never Walked In High Heels

Dear Sir,

I think there is a big difference between wanting a lot of money, and wanting to earn a lot of money. To earn a lot of money means that there is some sort of trade taking place: it’s my cash for your late nights at the drawing board, the legal paperwork that you waded through, and the immense problem solving ability that you’ve harnessed. And I’ll pay for that, no problem. In my mind, greed is when you think that you are entitled to a lot of money, yet you have done nothing to earn it.
When you were little, did you want to have a lot of money or did you want to earn it?

Frankly, I’m not sure which it was you wanted. Don’t get me wrong, I think contract law reigns supreme and if it says in your contract that you get x amount in bonuses with no strings attached, then get it you shall. But lately, you haven’t been acting like leaders. You have thought you were entitled to get the money, regardless if it came from the market or from the government. Greed happens at every economic level as soon as someone reaches out his hand and says, “You have and I have not. But I’m entitled to what you’ve earned simply because I exist.” It’s not because you are rich that you are greedy, its just that right now you don’t care to earn anything when you can get it from the government for free. You are lazy. Greed is not determined by your bank account, it is determined by your actions.   

The system only works when you guys actually act like leaders and actually earn something. If you don’t want to take that risk, then step down and don’t renew your contract. Most of us wouldn’t want to risk it. But I hope there aren’t too many of us who would think that not earning the money also means that we don’t get the money. Stand up straight and be accountable for your actions. And if you can do that, then when the government “recommends” that you step down, don’t! Government and collectivism got us into this mess; it’s going to take strong individuals to get us out. 

You are not a capitalist. You are not a baron of industry. I don’t think its my job to figure out what you actually call a piece of post modern mish mosh like yourself, so I’ll save myself the trouble. But you are certainly not a leader. What did you want to be when you were young? Capitalism didn’t fail you. You failed yourself. 

And stop thinking that it’s too late to get yourself out of the problem because it’s not too late. As long as you have a combination of breath and spirit running through you, it is never too late to improve your condition. Pull at life with both hands, make this world into your image, look at the problem full in the face and think every way you can past it. Yes, it means lying in bed thinking; it may even take thinking about a problem that hasn’t been solved before. That’s OK. The best things in life are usually made from a combination of obsession, thought, and achievement. 

Don’t go to the government and expect support - that is taking money which you did not earn from those who did. Act like leaders and take risks. Earn as much as you can.