Tag: wealth

Money Can Buy You Happiness

rufusdespacitoLeave a comment

In every sport except one, in order to be phenomenal you must practice non-stop and dedicate every hour of your day to challenging yourself in the sport; every sport except for horseback riding. Many people say that money can’t buy you happiness, but in this sport, all riders believe it to be true. Money can buy your way into fame and top ribbons in competitions.

In jumpers, in order to be a good rider that is not as wealthy as your competition, it still requires the same amount of dedication that other sports do; but, if you are rich and can afford to buy $500,000 horses then no matter what type of rider you are you can race your way around the course, be the most ratchet rider in existence, and win every class.

In hunters, the people with the most money always win, even though everyone argues it to be unfair, it has been this way for a century or two. Everything about the owners riding can be inferior to someone with less money than them, but because their horse is nicer, and therefore more careful with it’s legs, it will be able to clear anything you set them up to. Especially in hunters, how you place depends entirely on the fanciness of your horse; including the way it moves, carries itself, jumps, and its flexibility. Hunters is a sport for those of the upper class and all you see at shows in that aspect are people flaunting their money everywhere and paying any price for their daughters to place well.

This aspect of horseback riding frustrates many people in the sport, but yet those who truly love to ride continue to compete no matter the outcome.

Photo Credit: horseshowsbythebay.com

The Intouchables

Daphne PsaledakisLeave a comment

When I mention the movie “The Intouchables” to someone, they most often hear “The Untouchables.” While I hear good things about “The Untouchables,” I’ve never actually seen it, and I’m sure it couldn’t even compare to “The Intouchables.”

“The Intouchables,” which is a French film, came out in 2011. It follows the story of a wealthy paraplegic man in search of an assistant. During his interviews, a man storms in and adamantly requests him to sign a paper saying that he applied for the job, but didn’t get it, in order for him to receive unemployment. It is obvious that Driss comes from the lower-class, spends much of his time in the streets, may have a questionable past, and a poor work ethic. However, Philippe, the man hiring, takes to the fact that Driss has no sympathy for his condition. He doesn’t treat him as an invalid or an outcast. He treats him as he would anyone else. Philippe decides to hire him, despite warnings from people close to him.

What ensues is a comical friendship, where both men learn from each other. The dynamic duo breaks all the rules that have been set for paraplegics. Driss teaches Philippe how to live again, despite his condition, and Philippe teaches Driss about the rewards of giving one’s all to their work. The two push each other to be the best they can be, despite the internal and external flaws of each man.

The film is based on a true story, and is simply amazing. It is definitely one of the better movies I have seen. The filming was very well done, and the characters provided laughter at every turn, even at times coaxing out a tear or two. I watched this movie over the summer with my dad, and at the end of it, we looked at each other and said “wow.” There is really no other way to describe this movie. I’m surprised by how few people have seen it. It is definitely on my list of must-sees, so if you haven’t already, go and rent it as soon as you can. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

OWS, Right or Wrong

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The corner of Wall Street and Broadway, showin...
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OWS or occupy Wall Street is an ongoing movement that protest against corporate greed, corruption, and the fact that 1% of Americans controls 40% of Americas wealth. OWS primary goal is to force the rich to pay taxes proportionate to their wealth.

These attacks have been criticized as merely the poor complaining about lack of work but have also been called a cultural revolution, an end to the rich controlling America power.

The problem being, of course, is it right to be angry over wealth that someone has rightfully earned. The answer cannot be answered with a simple yes or a no, we must look back on our nations founding.

Funny that the reason we became a nation was because of refusal to pay unfair taxes. (History has a way of repeating itself) When Britain decided to pass stringent tax laws, an angry group of colonist created a revolution that not only spread through their own country but to the rest of the world.

Todays “revolution” is not only changing Wall Street but has” spread to more than 250 American cities, [and] more than a [hundred] countries — every continent but Antarctica.”

Now the only question that remains will the months of protest pay off or will it go down in history as a misguided folly. I believe that it will pay off; obstructing the largest financial center into the world is bound to force Obama and congress to act.

Then again the chance of such a “miracle” occurring in congresses current climate, is not likely. (Partisans these days.) Only time well tell if the protestors months of effort will pay off.

The Buffett Tax

therightliberalLeave a comment

As some people worry about the money they spend on gas or groceries, a group of Americans sit back and watch their money flow in.

I do not mean to insinuate that millionaires and billionaires do not work hard because most of them do. However, I see no argument that their lives are anywhere near as hard as those who are living paycheck to paycheck.

Warren Buffett has over the years called for higher taxes for America’s uber-rich, and now it seems he might get it.

Obama is looking to propose the “Buffett Tax,” a new tax on wealthy Americans that would work to keep some of the wealthy from avoiding taxes and increase the rates that they pay.

Although it would only affect about 450,000 Americans, the tax could very much benefit the economy, which as we all know, needs all the help it can get.

I look back at the arguments I have heard on why the rich should not have higher taxes; they don’t deserve it, it wouldn’t really help, it’s not fair. But none of those arguments make sense to me.

Taxes are not a punishment, they are just a fact of life in a society like ours. If you enjoy the country you have then you better accept the idea of taxes.

Taxing the top 0.3% of Americans (which this would do) a higher amount could really help. And on top of it, the bill wouldn’t actually raise taxes, it would just eliminate some of the Bush tax cuts, which I think we can see did not work judging on where are economy is now.

I hope that this bill can get through Congress during their Dec. meeting on deficit reduction. I think that this could be a helpful bill, but on top of that, it just makes sense.

Intelligence Guarantees Success?

vabenissimoLeave a comment

With an IQ 220, Kim Ung Yong from South Korea surprised the world. He spoke fluently by 6 months, read Japanese, Korean, German, and English by an age of 2, solved a calculus problem when he was just 4 years old, and divulged his talents in poetry and painting during his childhood. He even took College courses in Korea from 4 to 7.

His IQ is an equivalent of the one of Leonardo da Vinci. However, none of these fancy titles like a prodigy, Guinness recorder, and genius mattered to him. They rather reminded himself of a “monkey in a zoo.”

Voluntarily leaving from his work at NASA at an age of 14, he looked for “his” life in Korea. Due to an absence of his elementary, middle school, and high school diplomas, he began his education from the very basics.

When he chose to enter an infamous university located in rural region of Korea despite his high score on standardized tests, the world derided at his choice and called him as a failure.

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