Rich people really do think they are superior

[DonCoquixote]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/perspective/rich-people-really-do-think-they-are-superior/2160470

This article shoecases some of the ugly facts in the way of meritocracy. If Mitt Romney and W. are examples of rich people being smart, heaven help us.

[DonCoquixote]

1. a telling quote from said article:

Social class essentialism is basically inciting social Darwinism. This distortion of Darwin's theory of evolution, in one interpretation, is the belief that only the fit survive and thrive — and, further, that this process should be accepted or even accelerated by public policy. It's an example of the logical fallacy known as the "appeal to nature" — what is natural is good. (If that were true, technology and medicine would be moral abominations.) Social class essentialism entails belief in economic survival of the fittest as a fact. It might also entail belief in survival of the fittest as a desired end, given the results linking it to reduced support for restorative interventions. It's one thing to say, "Those people can't change, so let's not waste our time." It's another to say, "Those people can't change, so let's lock them away." Or eradicate them: Only four years ago, then-Lt. Gov. of South Carolina Andre Bauer told a town hall meeting that poor people, like "stray animals," should not be fed, "because they breed."

[HockeyMom]

2. Sounds like my stupid, RICH, Snowbird neighbors

They have the EXACTLY same cookie cutter house I have but paid DOUBLE what I did, and think they are "so superior" to everyone else. No, dear neighbor, you are a SUCKER for paying what you did for the same house I own. The HOA treats you no better than me.

BTW, as a PERMANENT resident I get to VOTE here, where you DON'T. Turning Florida BLUE!!!!!!

[DonCoquixote]

3. Hell yes

For what it is worth to non FL people, "snowbird" refers to people who come down from the north in winter, and pretty much take over when they do. It was coined for Canadians, but it can mean any Norther. The behavbior is usually snotty, low tipping, and arrogant, and hevaily GOP. The Canadian variety often tends to LOVE Harper, as they hide their money in local banks for "tax purposes." The Yank variant is hevbaily GOP, and responsible for the GOP backbone in the state (especially under snowbird goivs Jeb Bush and Rick Scott.) In other words, they act like millionaires that bought a biut of the beach, but they are hiding from their home state's taxes.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. Most people up North are familiar with the term snow bird.

Half of Michigan takes wing come November. Although my sister-in-law's parents are solid union Dem voters.

[jehop61]

5. I'm a snowbird

Have never voted republican, and am a stalwart of my democratic organization in Michian where I vote. My presence in Florida has brought economic stability to this area, because we snowbirds are here and own property. Jobs depend on us as does the property tax base. Please don't try to put us in your neat little box of being a detriment to the warmer clims of this country. Perhaps our lifestyle helps us live longer and that's a good thing. Generalizations are never helpful.

[HockeyMom]

7. Sorry, but you still cannot VOTE in Florida

Yes, I live on the Gulf Coast which is mostly people from the MidWest. Still, it is year round residents who keep everything running from April through November, and can VOTE here.

No offense, but local officials pay far too much attention to "seasonal" residents, but we year round residents are given the shaft by them, but we are the ones who keep them in office, pay their salaries, and keep the local businesses running in Off Season.

[A HERETIC I AM]

8. As a Floridian on and off for almost 50 years, let me say.....

I am glad to have you as a seasonal resident.

I graduated HS in Miami and my dad owned a house there starting shortly after Kennedy was shot. (The house was a victim of Hurricane Andrew, but that is beside the point)

For a while in the late 70's and early 80's there was a popular bumper sticker that said "Happiness is a Canadian headed North with a New Yorker under each arm!"

I never really agreed with that sentiment. Sure, like most Floridians, I like to complain about the out of state drivers, but hell, just as you said, you are paying taxes here too.

Again, glad to have ya here!

[DonCoquixote]

9. you may be different

and if so, great, but I have seen too much of northern money used to elects pols that never would have had a chance, like Rick Scott. And yes, you own property, unlike many down here who cannot because the local GOP prefers it's economy imprted from up north rather than having to make one.

[Shandris]

6. I think some people are just naturally NOT fit for competition...

...and to be fair, I'm pretty happy to consider myself one of them. Well...usually. I think we all have moments where we wish we were more successful for one reason or another, but my point is that a lot of people don't have that competitive streak, or are too polite, too concerned about the welfare of others, and so on. Thinking you are superior to someone who isn't even competing with you, or who is caring for the people you left behind, is the very definition of LOW imo.