How GREEDY are you?
Monday 03 October 2011 at 2:39 pm
There are hundreds of protesters in the Wall Street area of New York City. According to the New York Times, the protests are against corporate greed, unemployment, and the role that financial institutions have played in pushing the country into its continuing economic malaise and are starting to spread to other U.S. cities.
It seems to be a grassroots effort with no central organization. Each protester has their individual list of reasons for demonstrating. They have used social media (Facebook and Twitter) to recruit more supporters, collect money, food and blankets.
What are the protesters hoping to accomplish? At present, they are simply "sending a powerful message to corporations that we know what you are doing." Exactly what is it that corporations are doing?
Since the protesters are against greed that must mean corporations are being greedy by overpaying their executives, not paying taxes, and making huge profits. In addition, they must not be hiring people or paying fair wages and benefits. Moreover, we can't forget the financial abuses that resulted in taxpayers bailing out corporations too big to fail. Perhaps, the protesters are right because there certainly have been examples of abuse and greed.
John Wesley, a Church of England cleric, and Christian theologian, once said, "Gain all you can, save all you can and give all you can." Interesting words from a theologian. How is it possible to gain all you can, save all you can and give all you can? I think Warren Buffet could tell us because it is what capitalism is all about. However, apparently, those who have gained and saved have not given all they can and greed is the reason at least that is what some believe. Perhaps, they are right. Except, while greed is an excessive desire to possess wealth, it is also inappropriate expectation.
There are two kinds of people in this world. There are givers and there are takers? Are Billionaires givers or takers? Are Corporations givers or takers? Are protesters givers or takers? Are you a giver or taker?
I came across a short quiz that could help shed light on how much money, possessions, and status mean to you. It is found on Beliefnet.com entitled "How greedy are you?" (Click here) It takes less than 5 minutes to complete and the results might surprise you.
