please read this and comment, if you care to.

i read it a few years ago for a class, and i was remimded of it the other day by this dood i know. he was telling me how he's tired of liberal types (like myself, i reckon) trying to make him feel guilty for the high standard of living we enjoy here in these united states. he said that if he works hard and wants to spend that money he worked hard to earn on something like an obscenely expensive, wholly unnecessary item like a luxury car, then who the fuck has the right to question him on it? if he works his ass off, doesn't he deserve that car? why should he be made to feel bad because he doesn't give any of his hard-earned scratch to take care of people who can't be bothered to take care of themselves? (never mind the fact i know this nigga, and the only scratch he ever hard-earned was when he caddied at his dad's club one summer- it's a commonly held point of view, and not a totally indefensible one) obviously, as you'll see, it reminded me of this essay. immediately, i thought i should post it here.

i should preface this by pointing out that this is not an attack on anyone. it's an old essay (it's likely some of you have seen it before) and i'm sure the guy had none of you personally in mind when he wrote it. and before you totally bust me on it, no, i don't give most of my own money away to poor bastards, either. my charitable efforts are focused almost solely in the relatively frivolous area of bird rescue and rehab. (douchebaggery) i'm just hoping to hear what you think of such a suggestion.

and, duh, to feel superior to you.