Donald Trump and his family are cheaters--there's no doubt about this. Story after story shows them skirting the laws to lift their personal power, pleasure, profits, and privilege. Time and again they used a dangerous spread of manipulative lies, propaganda, and misinformation to steer the support of many in their direction, and then used this support to lift their fame and gain. Recent stories about Jared and Ivanka's great profits from 2020 demonstrate that their self-serving, me-first, who-cares-about-anyone-else attitude and actions worked to greatly prop up their personal wealth.
As I think about the Trump's success in abusing United States laws and their roles in government to serve themselves rather than others, I am thinking about the subject of wealth--is wealth good or not-so-good?
A long time ago, Father LeBran, a Jesuit at my college said, Wealth in and of itself is not bad, but it is how you use your wealth that matters. I always found those words to be meaningful.
For myself, I was never heavily motivated to become rich--to work for money alone was never a part of who I am, but I did do what I could to make enough money to support a good standard of living. I studied, worked hard, took many courses, and did the work necessary to make a fair income. I also had the advantage of the social networking and advantages of White privilege too--privilege I am aware of, and privilege that helped me to have the good life I have in the United States. I believe that the United States can afford a life like mine to every American--a life that includes good work, fair wages, a warm, welcoming home, and good times that are accessible and affordable.
I know there are some who are heavily motivated by making money, and work for that end. I know good people like that, people who have made a lot of money and people who use that money to afford themselves a good life and also to help others in society. These are people who pay their fair share of taxes, work hard, and use their privilege to do good. I have no problem with that. I also know people who were gifted and passionate about what they do--ultimately their drive and passion led them to great success and wealth. Again, these are good people who use their wealth and privilege to live a good life themselves and to help others live good lives too.
We will never be a society where everyone makes exactly the same amount of money--we're all different as is the world around us. We will likely all make different amounts of money in our lives, and we'll use our time and energy differently too. But, I do believe that we can support laws and policies related to wealth that create a more fair and just society.
First, fair taxation gives everyone voice. Let's face it, those with extensive wealth typically use up more of the world's resources. Also, while their wealth, in part, is due to hard work, it is also likely due to the generational wealth/privilege they were born into, good fortune, and/or extraordnary passion, gifts, and talents. In a free and fair democracy, every member of that democracy should have voice, and fair taxation, fair wages, and just work conditions provide people with the time and circumstances to have voice over our country's good decisions in fair ways. Fair taxation gives voice and allows all Americans to have a good standard of living.
Next, lawful wealth is good, but wealth born out of lawless, oppressive behavior is not good. Those that cheat, threaten, or use lawless violence to gain their wealth should be procecuted and held accountable. No one should be able to oppress others in any way to gain their wealth, and everyone has to review their behaviors in this regard.
And, people with great wealth should be expected to help others in meaningful and positive ways. Everyone has a responsibility to be generous to others in ways that contribute to good living.
If we can, I do think we have to work hard to support oursevles and help others. We will make different amounts of money, and our democracy can tax that money in fair ways to keep our country strong for all. So I agree with Father LeBran, it is not wealth that is good or bad, but it is how we use that wealth that makes a difference. Onward.