By hook or crook, some never seem to have enough

How much money is enough?

It depends, doesn’t it? Too many poor folks never have enough even to be assured of adequate food and shelter. Some of us in circumstances that are more fortunate have sufficient for all foreseeable, practical purposes.

You’ve assumed correctly, by now, that I’m heading for the top few percent. The title indicates that my topic today is about those with more money, more than anyone would ever see any earth while need. But the elite wealthy do worry, or certainly give that impression, as they strive for more money by every hook and crook possible. And there are increasingly more ways to make that possible. Recently, that has become more possible, at the top, with the Supreme Court decision permitting unidentified bribery of legislators seeking election and/or re-election by very expensive hooks and crooks.

Sam Harris in his third book said, “The dominant religion of our time is the worship of money, and the dominant ethic is ‘to hell with you and hooray for me.”

Some would say that capitalism has run wild. The drumbeat of those seeking more money seems to have convinced too many folks that government is the problem.

Government regulations have become their mantra: “Too much government.” Since government is obligated to address financial fiascos such as the 2008 recession, who needs those regulations anyhow? They are merely obstructions in our ever-growing search for more money, and the taxpayers will end up footing the bill.

Is that being two-faced?

A poem I read recently treats this money-grubbing subject in a more light-hearted way, which you’ll probably enjoy more than my analytical remarks.

James Kavannaugh wrote the poem and he titled it, “Lately Most of My Friends”:

Lately, most of my friends are into making money,

And with the rising toll of inflation, they are convinced

That the only suitable protection

Is more money.

Our conversation, which used to cover good vacation spots or a recent play,

Now focuses on land in South America or corn in May.

Even our reading on politics or current fiction

Has lately been replaced by the same addiction

Of when to sell or when to wait,

Or the cheapest way to incorporate.

Eddie sees the future in diamonds,

Brock still leans toward gold,

Frank believes in property

And tax-free bonds I’m told.

Even Jeanie is remodeling,

Making a hundred grand a year.

Sally has converted to computers.

Trying to program out her fear.

They all think I’m crazy

For passing up each new deal.

What they don’t know won’t hurt ‘em:

I am learning to steal!

Is Congress stealing from taxpayers when they cripple government regulations and/or underfund the department that has responsibility for developing and enforcing them?

Bernie Hughes, Ed.D, is a retired educator who resides in Superior. He can be reached at bernie3024@centurytel.net

Tags: community, seniors, columns