Are rich people evil?

[TomC]

No. Dumb question.

[MasterJedi]

No

[David S]

No. Dumb question.

I agree with your response "no". But as to whether its a dumb question or not, well as you can see over 1/4 of the respondents answered yes to the question.

Bear in mind that its not a question of whether rich people are really evil which is something that we could not determine with an opinion pol. Its a question of how respondents perceive rich people.

[David S]

Hmmm. I'm curious. One of the 3 Libertarian answers was yes. It wasn't me, so which Libertarian thinks rich people are evil? John? MAC?

[Bono]

Yes. Almost all are. There are a few exceptions such as George Soros and most Hollywood celebrities though of course.

LOL
He created a recession in the UK as a part of an investment in Forex. It was a brilliant move financially, but fairly evil I must say.

[opebo]

Have you ever seen a doctor addicted to crack? Or how about a lawyer? Or how about pretty much any of the higher paid professions?

No, though such people do exist.  My main criticism of your observation is this - you have it backwards.  Certainly few of the 'professional' or 'upper-middle' class of workers have problematic addictions (though of course many do take drugs or have in the past).  The reason for this is most addictions are symptoms of poverty - in other words, poverty creates crack addiction.  Since poverty is created by oppression of the powerless by those with power, it is correct to say that the crack addiction of the poor is created by the rich.

[adam]

Oh yes...anyone that rises above the middle class level for any reason must be evil. <--- Sarcasm

[John Dibble]

Have you ever seen a doctor addicted to crack? Or how about a lawyer? Or how about pretty much any of the higher paid professions?

No, though such people do exist.  My main criticism of your observation is this - you have it backwards.  Certainly few of the 'professional' or 'upper-middle' class of workers have problematic addictions (though of course many do take drugs or have in the past).  The reason for this is most addictions are symptoms of poverty - in other words, poverty creates crack addiction.  Since poverty is created by oppression of the powerless by those with power, it is correct to say that the crack addiction of the poor is created by the rich.

First off all, using crack causes crack addiction. One cannot become addicted to crack if one never takes it. Poor people are perfectly able to make the decision not to take crack or any other substance just as you and I can.

Bad decisions can cause poverty, and being born into poverty puts one in a position where one is often uneducated about what decisions are good or bad, which can make one more likely to stay there. It can be cyclical, but cycles must start somewhere, and they can also end.

Those not born into poverty can get there through bad decisions - take lottery winners who blow through their winnings in a year or two. They end up in debt. The good decision would be, as you say, don't touch the principle. Even though they have sufficient capital to live comfortably without work, they screw it up. No oppression here, just stupidity. Similarly, taking crack can ruin your career and plunge you below the poverty line. A myriad of other poor decisions can make it possible to fall to poverty level.

Those born into povery who figure out what decisions are good to make are much more likely to rise out of it(not likely to be rich, but still a much more comfortable existence) - I've met a number of such people. Deciding to buy $30 generic shoes instead of the $120 Nikes is a smart decision for someone with little money, but you'd be surprised how often such people stupidly by the much more expensive item even though they can't afford it.

Your propensity to blame everything on forces outside of one's control is just foolish - at some point people have to think to themselves 'what can I do differently to make my life better?' in order to change the situation.

[J. J.]

Ah, do any of you know any really rich people or really poor people?

Do you think that there is something hugely different about people based on the size of their net worth?

[Democratic Hawk]

No (D). There's good and evil in all socio-economic groupings; indeed, it probably boils down to individuals. As the old saying goes, "There's a little bit of bad in the best of us and a little bit of good in the worst of us"

Dave

[Citizen James]

Not as a general rule, no.

The question isn't about a general rule

Good point. Well, I would say that a certain amount of meanness and tenacity certainly makes a person more likely to be economically successful. I'm not sure if that translates necessarily into "evil", but a willingness to do things that are borderline immoral (or perhaps even not so borderline) does seem to be overall more rewarded than punished in our economic system.

I think a certain amount of meaning also makes a person more likely to be politically successful. Nice guys finish last.

Well, it's a common cliche that nice guys finish last, but I don't think it's generally true.

Note that being a 'nice guy' is not the same as being a doormat.  Being honest and trustworthy in your dealings doesn't mean that you give just anyone the keys to the safe - and similarly, there are rational legal consequences for those who betray your trust - ranging from termination to jail time.

'evil' is hopelessly short sighted, and though they can rake in a fortune in the short term by destroying buisnesses which are poorly run, or without individuals with the courage to fight back.  But in a well functioning society fair play is rewarded far more frequently than foul.  Do you really want someone who ran his last three companies into the ground to manage yours? (I know, I know, but I think W is an exception, not the rule).

[YRABNNRM]

Bill Gates is a great man.

[Democratic Hawk]

Bill Gates is a great man.

Yes, I like capitalists with a conscience. He does a lot of good

Dave

[Bono]

Bill Gates is a great man.

Yes, I like capitalists with a conscience. He does a lot of good

Dave

This program just performs and illegal operation and will be terminated.

[opebo]

Bill Gates is a great man.

Bootlicker