What does greed mean to you? Greed it typically used in a context meaning to gain power, material goods or money. Greed can often imply that the greedy person wants more than they need. I believe that most people would agree that we have plenty of greedy people in Washington, for example. With this I would agree. However, I also think that any patriotic American also must be greedy, to a point. Greed doesn’t always have to be a negative attribute. Greed has contributed to the improvement in living conditions as far back as recorded history and most likely much further than that. It was greedy to want to be warm while others slept fitfully, yet man built fires to warm himself at the cost of the forest. It was greedy to not be satisfied eating fruits and vegetables and to supplement mans’ diet with dead animals, cooked over a fire I might add. It is greedy to control people through means of religion and political structures granting power to the few over the many. Consider the amount of money taken in through various churches and religions. What are they selling you really? An opinion perhaps? A particular interpretation of a Bible, Koran or other holy text? Are they selling you salvation, or are they selling you assistance in finding your salvation? Is it not greedy for a Pastor, Priest or other religious office to think they hold the key to your soul’s future? Is it not questionable that money, tithings, or even your life can be the price for your membership or salvation? Certainly it is greedy for a Monarch or dictator to think they should have utter control over a country because of the family they were born into or the size of their armed forces. Quite obviously, it is also greedy for a CEO who makes millions, if not billions, from his company to lay off workers or refuse to raise wages while living in luxurious bliss. However, our country has relied upon private industry as the fuel for economic progress since its inception. If a business owner doesn’t want to grow, doesn’t want to advance, doesn’t want MORE; he won’t hire more people nor seek to advance the industry in which he works. Without some greed, competition dies. Isn’t it a form of greed to want to outshine your opponent in sport, life or business? Our country is full of greed in both positive and negative forms. If we want to get rid of the negative greed (or as much as possible anyway) then we need to look at why it exists and whether the particular act of greed is a symptom of a systematic issue or a particular person’s choice.
I recently was talking with a friend about the greed of Oprah. I don’t believe Oprah is above the yearning for power and money. I do believe she is one of the most popular and effective philanthropists in our country today. I don’t believe that she branched out to start her new TV station out of pure benevolence. I think she started the station to expand her influence, which is usually a positive one thankfully; her power, and yes to line her pockets. There is nothing wrong with Oprah’s success, and in point of fact, there are many wonderful things about her story. I’m not making a judgment for or against her; I’m merely making the case that without some greed her empire would not have been possible. If we support her empire and we support individual liberty; how can we attempt to use her magnanimous spirit to justify her actions before she had the resources to give so much back? My point is this, she could never have become what she is today without the right to not be that person. In order to allow someone like Oprah the ability to build a media empire we have to acknowledge the use of that empire is up to the builder as long as it doesn’t act illegally. In other words, you can’t have an Oprah without a Donald Trump. (For the record, I’m not saying anything bad about Mr. Trump. I’m using the stereotypical image of him as less than giving when compared to Oprah.)
Whether it is T Boone Pickens, Oprah, Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Carnegie, or Tiger Woods; we love to portray them as saints or sinners when neither is correct. They are as human as any of us and all of us are greedy. Did you eat steak last night when a hamburger would have sufficed? Did you buy a new car because your last one was too old, even though it worked? Do you smoke cigarettes even though they will probably give you cancer and cost your family, friends or children the ability to know you in old age? Do you buy the cheapest form of everything? Do you want HD TV when normal would suffice? How many cars do most families possess? Do you expect a pill to solve almost all your health issues? There are countless examples of Americans wanting more than they actually need. Compare us to a poor country for example; we believe each kid needs their own bedroom when there are places where whole families sleep in the same bed. As long as we are willing to work for the pleasures and lifestyle we want, I see nothing wrong with it. Greed is part of desire, desire is part of motivation, and motivation creates. That is what America does; we create. Before we condemn those at the top of our economic ladder, we should remember who built universities, concert halls, bridges, sports arenas and so much more. How many people realize Carnegie Hall was basically built from the profits of a steel company? Besides, doesn’t it make sense to support a society in which greed is fostered in any individual willing to work for their goals? At least this is a fair system allowing anyone the chance to be greedy for his or her family and business. I, for one, prefer the greed of the private individual to the greed of the politician. Above all else, it is the responsibility of the American citizen to provide for themselves whenever possible and to prevent the collusion of business and government. Politicians and business owners should never be allowed to collaborate in their greed. It is this collaboration that has the American population confused over the issue of greed and that is the topic of the next article.
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