The ‘Self-Made’ Myth: Our Hallucinating Rich

[marmar]

from Too Much: A Commentary on Excess and Inequality:


The ‘Self-Made’ Myth: Our Hallucinating Rich
September 23, 2012

In real life, working hard only takes you so far. Those who go all the way — to grand fortune — typically get a substantial head start. So documents a new analysis of the Forbes 400.

By Sam Pizzigati


Let’s cut Mitt Romney some slack. Not every off-the-cuff comment the GOP White House hopeful made at that now infamous, secretly taped $50,000-a-plate fundraiser last May in Boca Raton reveals an utterly shocking personal failing. Take, for instance, Mitt’s remark that he has “inherited nothing.”

A variety of commentators have jumped on Romney for that line. They’ve pointed out that Mitt, the son of a wealthy corporate CEO, has enjoyed plenty of privilege, everything from an elite private school education to a rolodex full of rich family friends he could tap to start up his business career.

On top of all that, the young Mitt also enjoyed $1 million worth of stock his father threw his way to tide him over until big paydays started arriving.

Not quite “nothing.” But no reason to pick on Mitt either. Most really deep pockets, not just Mitt, consider themselves entirely “self-made.” The best evidence of this predilection to claim “self-made” status? The annual September release of the Forbes magazine list of America’s 400 richest. .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://toomuchonline.org/the-self-made-myth-our-hallucinating-rich/

[annabanana]

1. GREAT (and accurate) title!. . . .n/t

[Xipe Totec]

2. Myth Romney - The line just writes itself... nt

[rock]

3. Imagine that you're ridiculously rich

When asked how did a turd like you make it, do you answer:
1) I was dropped from an airplane and landed on a velvet pillow or:
2) I was dropped from an airplane and landed in a lava-spewing volcano.

We never hear the story of making it by luck, yet that's practically always the way it is.

[jg15]

4. luck is a part / but not only part

partially agree / faster than one can say right place at the right time... That said, I think Bill Clinton worked hard and smart to make his millions - doubt he would have gotten wealthy without it... Same goes for a Michael Jordan / given height and speed by genetics then add in hard work and drive to succeed... Doubt he would have made it to the HOF by sitting on the couch... nor would he have made it if he was 5'2 and slow...

[Bill USA]

5. Excellent. recommended!

[Ash_F]

6. You don't get rich by working hard

You get rich by rigging the system to sucker other poor saps into working hard for you.