Quote:
Originally Posted by peanut
On one hand you have a type of person like Hugh, who reminds us at any opportunity to let us know just how good his life is and how well he's doing, from how big his projects are and how much they are worth right down to his lovely sounding diet of fine food, wine and single malts. Though saying that, I can't blame him one bit, he's earnt it so why not. I'd say he's smug but that's how the other half live so fair enough and I can accept that no probs.
And on that same hand those type of people really don't know how it feels it live in fear when things are already far more worse than they can already comprehend. I suppose 'those' other people (the genuine sick etc) are just collateral damage and it's okay and seemingly totally acceptable to be ignored at the same time. As long as they are okay and their lifestyles aren't too affected, the others don't stand a chance.
I do have my own thoughts, and they'll probably go against those more affluent obviously, but my opinions at the end will mean less than the words from my others. That's how it feels. I don't care much about the causes, the bankers, politicians etc, I care about how I'm going to live or if I can, I don't have the luxury of the blame game to worry about.
I now feel at a point where I already feel worthless, now I will have to justify that and be told that I am now fit and healthy (miraculously) because I can turn on a tap, pick up a coin, reach in my top pocket and for me to be able to that, everything else doesn't matter. And if that's the case then how I feel now is just the beginning of the end.
(This is in no disrespect to Hugh I must add).
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Erm, I know exactly how the "other half" live, because that is the background I come from, and worked very hard not to stay in (that does not make me better than anyone else, just more fortunate in that I have some abilities (including the one to work very hard and long hours), and have been given the chance to use those abilities, and be comfortable); my mum, before she passed away, lived in those circumstances, and was supported by her family (when we could convince her to take help), and my sister still does, in Glasgow.
For many years in the 80s and 90s we as a family went without, because we ploughed everything we had into our house and family - so no holidays (except for visiting family in other parts of the country), no going out for meals, and very few "toys".
Fortunately, in the last ten years or so, I have progressed up the career ladder, and have some spare money (well, up to this year I did - with two kids at University, we are eating in to our savings), so this has enabled my wife and I to enjoy life a bit more, for which I feel no shame - it's one of the reasons why I work long hours.
I do not think I am better than anyone else, just slightly better off - I refuse to feel guilty because I have been able to do reasonably well for myself and family, but I do not think less of others who have not been able to.
"One size fits all" condemnations are not appropriate, whichever part of the socio-economic or political scale one is; they just lead to deceptive ad hominem attacks and sweeping simplistic prejudical judgements, imho.