Wednesday, November 7, 2007
From Rags to Riches
Horatio Alger wrote a lot of rags to riches books. Unlike Herbert Spencer, Horatio tells us that anyone can achieve the American Dream if only they work hard, have concern for more than just themselves, and stay persistent. His character in Ragged Dick shows us his concern for others as he dives in to save the boy. We have heard stories about those who had nothing and became successful (Abraham Lincoln) and those who are just born into a rich and successful family and earned their way with their father's name (possibly George Bush). I guess what i am asking is do you think that out of all of today's "successful and rich" people how many of them earned their success the hard way or did most of them just inherit the fortune and fame?
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7 comments:
I think some of them earned it and some inherited it. I think that it is a myth that America is a nation of equal opportunity. I do think that if you work hard and apply yourself that you have a much better chance to acheive your dreams. Starting out with status is easier obviously.
I believe that it's all about connections. You have to network, have some one know someone that might be able to help you out. You might be the best at what you do, but you have to impress the right poeple to get your name out. And if you have those sources it pays off. But if you don't you might find yourself going no where.Sometimes the hard work never pays off.
I think that most of the rich today, earned what they have. They all might not have been dirt poor when young. But they were also no where near wealthy. Most probably grew-up in middle class families
I think most rich people today are rich because they inherited it. You have to have some sort of connection in order to get your foot in the door, and it seems like you have to have money in order to make money. I think some people do earn it honestly and on their own, but it also doesnt mean that just because you were born into it that you deserve it any less. I think that in the end it isnt about if you were born into it or not, it's what you do with it instead.
I think it's split. Some people work hard for it and some people get it handed to them, like Paris Hilton. , I think some people can work hard and apply themselves, but not get anywhere near the people that were handed the success and fame from the beginning. It is easier to start of with something. However, when it comes to "riches" I think it all depends on what you consider makes a person rich. If it is money or if it is happiness, because most of the "rich" people aren't happy. I think it's an American myth that money and fame make you happy.
I think that there are some celebrities that worked hard to get from "rags" to "riches". However, the majority already had something more than "rags" to start with, which probably means they had at least some money and connections to make things work. While there might be some that managed to go from dirt poor to stinking rich, it is uncommon in today's world.
Some earned it others inherited it. For example Bill Gates, he started with not a wholel ot and worked his way to becoming the worlds richest men. Basically i feel that is split. It could go either way.. some earned ot others just came into the money.
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