Dead Presidents

Money is not the root of all evil. Love of it is. We all need money. We need things. We want services performed by others. Money is pretty much the way to make sure our needs are met. There are anti-capitalists that see money as evil. Money is simply a tool. It is no different than a hammer, a nail or this guy my wife works with. Any tool can be used in a manner never intended by its creator. Reality is that money is the great equalizer.

Different people earn varying amounts of money. This will never be equal. This fact also supports my point. Not every good or service is worth the same in value. A fresh loaf of bread is delicious. Filling up your shopping cart with bread must have a greater cost. This inequality is inherent in our capitalist system. Those who hold a more Socialist mindset would disagree.

Equability is a laudable goal. When it comes to things like hiring practices or university admissions I am all for equality. There are some basic facts that cannot be denied. Not all endeavors provide the same level of value to a society. A cashier, for example, may assist many customers during their workday. A manager works harder. They handle many daily tasks that require a greater level of skill. A business owner works harder still.

Here is the bottom line. No one would work a day in their lives unless they got paid. I am sure there are inherent benefits to any job. One feels a sense of self-worth and satisfaction when completing tasks. The baker, for instance, looks upon their creation with pride. But what will the baker do when he needs other foods for his diet? Who will he turn to for garbage disposal or repair of his vehicle?

There must be something in common for all who toil so that goods and services can be fairly exchanged. Bartering is a fine ideal but unfortunately it is rarely used. Money not only allows us to get what we want but it also creates a measure by which things are valued. Why else would people strive to better themselves if there was no standard by which to measure their success?

I can hear the groans now. Success is not measured by how wealthy someone is you might say. Maybe not. What does give someone an indication of their value is the amount of money they are given. Most people are never satisfied with their pay. What is undeniable is that money is given, we in turn use it, others receive it and the cycle continues. If you can think of a better system I would love to hear it.

The painful truth is that capitalism works. We need corporations. We need the wealth they create, the employment they offer and the goods or services they provide. It is because of this system that the anti-capitalists have the time to march and protest. Much of what we take for granted each day occurs because, somewhere along the line, money changed hands. Money allows us to work, play, sleep and dream. Penny for your thoughts?