Wealthy People are Dishonest

money blogger · #1 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 11:38 AM

I've struggled with my initial desire to get in a heated discussion with people who make comments like, 'they must have cheated their way to the top,' or, 'I wonder how many people they took advantage of to achieve their success.'

I've come to the conclusion that the general public is so jealous of wealthy citizens that they credit their riches to dishonest gain. What do you think about this?

Do you believe honest people can become wealthy? I have often heard people say that only the dishonest business people make big money. But what about the honest ones. Can they make it too?

Thanks,

Guy Gagnon
Business Relations Technologist

Broken Arrow · #2 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 12:20 PM

Looks familiar. Like it's been discussed elsewhere. As though it's merely fanning the fire to sell your book or at least generate traffic to your site.

Sorry if I seem rather rude, but I'm just being honest.

And anyway, it's a rather broad brushstroke I think. I'm sure there will be those who are dishonest, and there will be those who are not.

I've met people online and in real life who would be statistically categorized as wealthy, and as far as I know, they seem like honest, decent people to me.

EEinNJ · #3 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 12:36 PM

Isn't taking advantage of a situation or person one of the cornerstones of capitalism? Buying something at a discount, selling at a premium?

There's only so much you can "earn" by the sweat of your brow, being diligent and hard working. Perhaps those who think they're virtuous and hard-working resent those that have been more successful with less work.

wincrasher · #4 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 01:11 PM

I think alot of laymen think that screwing over people is "just business".

Folks out to just make a quick buck usually fail. They are all about making the money and not about providing a service.

If you provide people with an honest service and good value, then you will be successful in business and with it, the rewards.

There are exceptions, but I think generally if one gets wealthy over time, they are doing an honest business. If they got there overnite, then it's probably at the unfair expense of other people.

lovcom · #5 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EEinNJ

Isn't taking advantage of a situation or person one of the cornerstones of capitalism?

No, it is not!

One must not assume that capitalism means dishonesty.

Only socialists or the poor think one has to be dishonest for capitalism to work. This is not to suggest there is no dishonesty in capitalistic societies, but rather to say that being dishonest is not a requirement to make it big.

Snodog · #6 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

And anyway, it's a rather broad brushstroke I think. I'm sure there will be those who are dishonest, and there will be those who are not.

What he said.

disneysteve · #7 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EEinNJ

Isn't taking advantage of a situation or person one of the cornerstones of capitalism?

That's true, but what does that have to do with dishonesty?

Yes, making money involves somehow capitalizing on an opportunity, but honest people can do that just the same as dishonest people.

rob62521 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 06:38 AM

I would say there is a difference between taking advantage of a person and taking advantage of a situation. If someone knowingly cheats someone to get ahead, that is dishonest. But if a business owner finds a product at a cheaper price and can sell it for a healthy profit, I would say that is taking advantage of supply and demand.

I don't believe every wealthy person is dishonest...there are some people who have gotten where they are by hard work or good choices or both. Yet, there are others who are just plain crooked.

boosami · #9 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 07:54 AM

It's a fine line and morality and legality don't always line up for all people.

I have several side businesses that some would consider immoral. Some people would say they purposely capitalize on other people's desperation and addiction. However, I run them honestly: I honor refund requests, I pay taxes on my earnings, I don't lie or cheat to get people to buy my products. Overall, I am an honest person and I sleep fine at night. What I'm doing is absolutely 100% legal. It's the same thing as blaming the alcohol seller for enabling drunk drivers or the tobacco companies for "forcing" people to smoke. Maybe I have very loose morals, but I do have a respect for people, laws, and society and I think that makes me honest. A moral person could do what I do but they would have to work harder at it. My lack of morals has certainly helped me get an edge up on the people with more of a conscience.

Inkstain82 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 08:11 AM

Capitalism is about *mutually beneficial exchanges*.

Yes, you charge more for the product than your discount price. But you took the time to look for the discount, which your customer didn't want to do. He valued his time, you valued his money, you both win.

KellyJef · #11 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boosami

I have several side businesses that some would consider immoral. Some people would say they purposely capitalize on other people's desperation and addiction. My lack of morals has certainly helped me get an edge up on the people with more of a conscience.

I'm 62 and I don't think I've ever known anyone to admit that they "lack morals". And "capitalizing on other people's desperation and addiction"?

boosami · #12 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KellyJef

I'm 62 and I don't think I've ever known anyone to admit that they "lack morals". And "capitalizing on other people's desperation and addiction"?

Like I said, I'm honest

I think honesty and morality more often than not go hand in hand, but not always as is my case.

disneysteve · #13 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KellyJef

I'm 62 and I don't think I've ever known anyone to admit that they "lack morals". And "capitalizing on other people's desperation and addiction"?

Speak to a cigarette company executive sometime.

bones72 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 05:15 AM

I'm a salesman. Actually a CAR salesman. If I offer a product at this price, and someone agrees to buy that product, how can anyone construe that to be dishonest or "taking advantage of a situation"? I have seen that attitude before, and those who have that mindset are those who have never had to take a risk and put up their future to mortgage a business, or start one. I have worked for 33 years, heavy manual labor to sales, many different types of jobs, and I have met several people with that attitude. I despise them all.

disneysteve · #15 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bones72

If I offer a product at this price, and someone agrees to buy that product, how can anyone construe that to be dishonest or "taking advantage of a situation"?

If you offer the same price to every customer, I would agree. If, however (and I'm not saying you personally do this but various reports have confirmed that it is done in your business) you offer a different price to different customers based on various factors such as gender, race, age, etc., I would consider that dishonest.

I've never understood the new car business. Why are prices negotiable? We don't negotiate prices on most other major items. The price is what it is. Why don't we buy cars the same way? Saturn has done it for year and various individual dealerships have done it, but it is still a fringe practice. Why not just say this is how much the car costs, take it or leave it? It would make the whole buying process so much more pleasant and would probably sell more cars. I know a lot of people who keep their cars as long as they possibly can because they absolutely hate the process of negotiating for a new one. If they could just walk in and buy one without feeling like they got ripped off, they'd be much more willing to do so.

Broken Arrow · #16 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boosami

I have several side businesses that some would consider immoral. Some people would say they purposely capitalize on other people's desperation and addiction.

Now you've got me curious. What is it? Gambling?

disneysteve · #17 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

Now you've got me curious. What is it? Gambling?

Probably not. Not really a "side business" kind of thing.

Perhaps adult entertainment of some sort.

Broken Arrow · #18 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Perhaps adult entertainment of some sort.

Even better!

Joan.of.the.Arch · #19 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 08:32 AM

Nah, nah, I'm figuring Boosami has a payday lending business so that he can cater to all addictions and all the desperate, not just one kind! Boosami, if it is that bad, please don't evn tell me!

boosami · #20 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

Nah, nah, I'm figuring Boosami has a payday lending business so that he can cater to all addictions and all the desperate, not just one kind! Boosami, if it is that bad, please don't evn tell me!

I have many side businesses, and they encompass all the guesses so far except for payday lending. Lending in general takes too many permits and what not. I will say that my "immoral" businesses get a much higher rate of traffic (and profit) than the fully moral ones...

Keep throwing out ideas maybe I'll find my next side business idea!