Welcome login | signup
Language en es fr
OccupyForum

Forum Post: Why is there so much greed in America?

Posted 11 years ago on March 30, 2012, 5:39 p.m. EST by rayl (1007)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

why are americans willing to kill for market dominance?

27 Comments

27 Comments


Read the Rules
[-] 6 points by toukarin (488) 11 years ago

Because we are brought up to believe that our existence is defined by what we have. Not who we are. Sadly, nowadays this is true for humanity in general not just Americans.

There was a time when principles mattered more than a bank balance. Its not coincidental that we still had a few real leaders then. Statesmen. Not politicians.

[-] 3 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

'T' : Of course, these days "politicians" and indeed 'Politics' itself is increasingly 'bought and paid for' such as to make Representational Democracy in The U$A - a sad joke. Thus, perhaps also see :

caveat ...

[Removed]

[-] 3 points by beautifulworld (23767) 11 years ago

We live in a materialistic society and most have bought into the idea that materialism brings happiness. Since markets bring the goods that fuel materialism Americans will fight for it. Also, the idea of "freedom," in general, can be applied to "free" markets, as well as the American as the "rugged individual" where each man is for himself.

[-] 3 points by TitusMoans (2451) from Boulder City, NV 11 years ago

I agree with your general statement about a materialistic society, though living and dead proof to the opposite is abundantly obvious: Michael Jackson, Lindsey Lohan, Whitney Houston, and Bobby Brown, just to mention a very, very few.

Simply, most people choose to ignore evidence contrary to their beliefs. They will, instead, seek to gratify themselves regardless of proven consequences.

[-] 2 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 11 years ago

The Greed is global

[-] 2 points by Nevada1 (5843) 11 years ago

Because too many of the CEO types, need a private golf course at each and every one of their giant houses.

[-] 2 points by monetarist (40) 11 years ago

And people in other countries are angels? Paragons of virtue and selflessness? How selfless are you for that matter?

[-] 1 points by Shane0ooo (5) from Port Melbourne, VIC 11 years ago

Because it has been known through human history a paradox of human logic:-

"Radix malorum est cupiditas" Greed is the root of all evil. That is why the famous quote "Never the lender nor borrower be."

So when a new legal virtual empire called the Corporations Act morphing out of giving rights to Negro Slaves after the Civil War, The work and effort of many now serve a Plutocracy under the guise of Democracy. The Civil War was about two opposing forces vehemently opposed to one another. Giving rise to Abraham Lincoln's famous quote; "I may disagree with what you say, yet I will defend to the death your 'right' to say it."

Plato was right now that the "Republic" is being implemented. "Tyrant's use wars and other distractions."

I believe that Yung wrote to Karl Marx about his communist manifesto which I believe has been born correct. "If you don't change the basic nature of man, your Utopia will be corrupted and fail" I am paraphrasing his letters for brevity. So too can be said of another economic system, we as conscious sentient beings are discussing, now that the settled tribes have defeated technologically the nomads.

The nature of human existence, and the learning of what Truth is by experiencing millions of generations of what Truth is not, for Life is but a dream. Or as I put in a poem succinctly:-

From the Darkness the tension begins, some would 'classify' as primordial sins, Energy n' Mass Times Lights Speed Squared, waves taking form in DNA Paired.

Om on, Love In, Peace Out. Shane'o

[-] 1 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

We don't even get market domination anymore, but are still willing to kill for a piece....

[-] 1 points by RedJazz43 (2757) 11 years ago

Why is there so much poverty in America? According to the most recent data 50% of the American population is either at or below the poverty live, which means, I suppose, if we take account of the 1%, 49% are what bourgeois sociologists would characterize as "middle class."

[-] -1 points by hitintheheadgirl (-73) 11 years ago

But even America's poor are envied by billions. Yeah, it's a horrible system. LOL.

[-] 1 points by harry2 (113) 11 years ago

Greed? Isn't that a human behavior?

[-] 1 points by monetarist (40) 11 years ago

exactly. People are greedy by nature. A baby who does not understand money or materialism is also greedy. Being greedy and selectively selfness is why the human race has survived. Not that it's the ideal behavior but nothing is ideal

[-] 1 points by harry2 (113) 11 years ago

Behavior of survival is a natural instinkt for animals and humans. But both children and most animals share once the hunger problem is solved. Nothing to do with greed.

[-] 1 points by monetarist (40) 11 years ago

No. Even kids playing will show greed and envy. Kids also envy the most popular kid in class or the most studious kids who always comes first or the rich kids. Someone who is going out with a very pretty girl or handsome guy is also envied by others. If there are two siblings, they envy each other too. It's not just about survival or hunger.

[-] 1 points by harry2 (113) 11 years ago

I think that sounds more like jealousy or resentment. Greed I would say is like: I have 10 bil but I need many more $$ more.

Behavior for survival are natural instincts - once solved the next step would be to think about security and then comes the greed, and the other nice and not so nice behaviors as we all know.

[-] 2 points by monetarist (40) 11 years ago

And is the desire to earn more wrong? Don't you want to earn more. Doesn't everyone want to earn more. Of course the drive to make money varies from person to person.

[-] 0 points by monetarist (40) 11 years ago

Jealousy and resentment are manifestations of greed. The desire to hoard is not the only form of greed, and is by far the most harmless one.

[-] 1 points by harry2 (113) 11 years ago

Jealousy A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity. - Robert A. Heinlein

The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure criticism without resentment. Elbert Hubbard

Greed: when the things that you possess start possessing you.

[-] 1 points by JPB950 (2254) 11 years ago

Why do you think it's strictly an American problem? Every nation has it's bankers, CEOs, and corrupt officials. There are demonstrations going on through out most of the developed world.

Greed is probably part of our nature. It runs through all levels of society. Looking at the European Union, I'd say they too have their fair share of people greedily demanding things from their governments.

[-] 1 points by Mooks (1985) 11 years ago

I agree with you on greed being part of our nature. It is likely deeply ingrained in nearly all species because of the evolutionary advantage it gives. And something that evolved over thousands of years does not easily go away.

[-] 1 points by JPB950 (2254) 11 years ago

It doesn't help that both political parties cater to it, in their own way, too.

[-] 0 points by l6griffin (5) from Oakdale, CA 11 years ago

Exodus 20:17

New testament

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." To covet is to have the strong desire for the possession of others' specific personal properties or relationships, going beyond simply admiring someone Else's possessions or thinking "I'd like to have one of those." Coveting includes envy - resenting the fact that others have what you don't. So if your neighbor has a beautiful wife and you begin thinking " I'd like to have her for my own," you are therefor coveting. end of quote Where are Christians when we need them?

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Sounds like WallStreet.

[Removed]

[Removed]

[Removed]

[-] -1 points by cherokeechief (-26) 11 years ago

Greed is a problem, I blame it on poor education. We have an entire generation who has been taught they are owed a living and expect others to provide for them.

Regardless of the nation's financial situation these people want their free shit. I know, it sounds idiotic but it's true! We have raised a generation of freeloaders!