One has to wonder, what's Maserati driving Manchin's beef with the child tax credit? I don't believe I'm wrong when I propose that West Virginia has been very hard on the majority of its residents whether they work in coal or not. Education, people below the poverty line, life expectancy, etc. For a coal fired multi-millionaire to priori…
One has to wonder, what's Maserati driving Manchin's beef with the child tax credit? I don't believe I'm wrong when I propose that West Virginia has been very hard on the majority of its residents whether they work in coal or not. Education, people below the poverty line, life expectancy, etc. For a coal fired multi-millionaire to prioritize his own family's well being over the bulk of his state's residents takes a special kind of callousness.
I think Senator Manchin believes in the Rugged Individual myth. As I understand it, the myth tells us that we should not look for -- much less expect -- help from anyone else when dealing with life’s challenges and that all the success or good fortune we receive is due solely to our own efforts. Therefore we get all the credit, do not have to feel any gratitude or humility for help from others, and can feel morally superior to those who don’t “succeed” in the same way. “I did it! You can, too. Suck it up and stick it out.” It’s a “me against the world” mindset widely believed but ultimately too small to guide us through life in peace and harmony. The Senator needs to open his heart and feel the trials and tribulations of his constituents.
You have really hit the nail on the head here. Years ago I had a rare heart-to-heart talk with a wealthy businessman, asking him why he was so against taxes for the rich, social security, national healthcare for everyone, and other social programs. Surely he had enough to not even feel a modest increase in his taxes. His reply was that he never had enough! This greedy attitude, plus feeling of entitlement and lack of sympathy/empathy for others less fortunate was an obvious trait of his wealthy clique of friends as well. I don't know how to deal with that mindset...
Thank you for your story about the rich man, Marilee. It reminds me of the warning in the Christian bible (Old or New testament, I am not sure): “The love of money is the root of all evil.”
Well stated. I have never been able to comprehend the thinking you so aptly describe. It seems to me to be based upon greed and winner take all mentality with little regard for people beyond their own property line. Sad and lacking in compassion or humility.
Thank you, John, for your thought. I share the sense of bewilderment you mention. I think we are a myth-making species and it is important for us to respect — but also examine — the myths we live by. When Love of Money becomes the measure of all value, we have turned it into an idol.
One has to wonder, what's Maserati driving Manchin's beef with the child tax credit? I don't believe I'm wrong when I propose that West Virginia has been very hard on the majority of its residents whether they work in coal or not. Education, people below the poverty line, life expectancy, etc. For a coal fired multi-millionaire to prioritize his own family's well being over the bulk of his state's residents takes a special kind of callousness.
I think Senator Manchin believes in the Rugged Individual myth. As I understand it, the myth tells us that we should not look for -- much less expect -- help from anyone else when dealing with life’s challenges and that all the success or good fortune we receive is due solely to our own efforts. Therefore we get all the credit, do not have to feel any gratitude or humility for help from others, and can feel morally superior to those who don’t “succeed” in the same way. “I did it! You can, too. Suck it up and stick it out.” It’s a “me against the world” mindset widely believed but ultimately too small to guide us through life in peace and harmony. The Senator needs to open his heart and feel the trials and tribulations of his constituents.
You have really hit the nail on the head here. Years ago I had a rare heart-to-heart talk with a wealthy businessman, asking him why he was so against taxes for the rich, social security, national healthcare for everyone, and other social programs. Surely he had enough to not even feel a modest increase in his taxes. His reply was that he never had enough! This greedy attitude, plus feeling of entitlement and lack of sympathy/empathy for others less fortunate was an obvious trait of his wealthy clique of friends as well. I don't know how to deal with that mindset...
Thank you for your story about the rich man, Marilee. It reminds me of the warning in the Christian bible (Old or New testament, I am not sure): “The love of money is the root of all evil.”
Yet this viewpoint allows for tax reductions for the wealthy which is basically a handout! How to square that?
Well stated. I have never been able to comprehend the thinking you so aptly describe. It seems to me to be based upon greed and winner take all mentality with little regard for people beyond their own property line. Sad and lacking in compassion or humility.
Thank you, John, for your thought. I share the sense of bewilderment you mention. I think we are a myth-making species and it is important for us to respect — but also examine — the myths we live by. When Love of Money becomes the measure of all value, we have turned it into an idol.