If you've got it to use, good luck to you.

Poirot, yes well aware we are in part Socialist.
But let me asure you Australia is not and never has been a Social Democracy.
Capitalism is not all evil.
Let us look at the pros and cons of post industrial revolution.
At first wealth had to be pulled in to gear, humanity,for a while became near slaves.
But it was that change and the wealth it created, that drove City living and funded the part socialism we have.
I just do not think we could get all we have, homes cars boats, very lifestyles we have, with out the wish to be rich .
Tax's yes every one should pay, but the filthy rich are not always filthy.
Had I or you, started buying land at age twenty, by now I would have been a million air at least.
Nothing wrong with that.

Belly,

I disagree.
Australia is a social democracy. Sometimes to a more and sometimes to a lesser degree...but a social democracy she is.

I'll second that Suse, in fact I have found very, [if not mega],rich yanks were some of the best people I have had on a charter boat.

When I was in the Whitsundays at one stage there was a shortage of skippers qualified to go out to the outer reef. I had an arrangement with a couple of island resorts, where I skippered their reef trips, in exchange for their help with our bear boat sailors when needed.

These might be just an overnight, or up to about 5 days. Most of the charterers were not poor, but many were stretching their holiday budget with this extra trip, & some could be a bit demanding. I found the least demanding were the rich yanks.

The boats involved were very seaworthy around 55Ft, more the type suited to professional fishermen than Gold Coast gin palaces, generally catering for up to 6 guests.

With the wealthy yanks I found they wanted to be part of the crew, the men taking over much of the work of running the boat, & a couple of times, the ladies chucked us out of the galley, [kitchen] for the duration.

So yes Suse, there are plenty of really nice wealthy folk around.

I respect those who have enriched themselves as a result of their efforts and feel they should be able to enjoy themselves in whatever way they desire - as long as it doesn't adversely impact on others.

However, the majority of wealth in society is inherited and technically not "earned" and the "trickle-down effect" is little more than a myth (probably promoted by the wealthy) - it simply doesn't work in the way that it is supposed to.

Beyond that, good luck to them - as long as they pay their taxes.

Everyone is different, I was never attracted to great wealth and am comfortable with my choices based on a less consumerist approach. That is not to say I am perfect just more careful and aware than I used to be. It largely depends on your values and beliefs.

Many of the rich I have met are unusual people, like politicians many have lost touch with the real world. That is not to say many rich do not act in philanthropic ways (eg. Bill Gates) or choose to use their wealth and super powers for good.:)

It is more important IMO to judge on how wealth is achieved. Ethics in business seems to be dirty word with many of the 'rich' crying discrimination for the 'job creators' at any criticism of wage disparity or excesses (cop the latest faux pas of the ANZ giving free cruises to senior staff while sacking workers).

Corruption is far more than tolerated in an effort to get things done in business in some cases whether it be bribes or unfair influence in contracts and approvals for developments. Far better IMO not to yield to these 'terrorists' it only encourages them.

Wealth can be created through innovation and without exploitation but I would be surprised if immense wealth, however that is defined, is not somehow linked to some form of exploitation or skullduggery at some time in the wealth creation process.

However there is great power in the hands of consumers that is never realised, most people being content to just accept the status quo without understanding where products come from and whether there was sweat shop labour, unsafe working conditions, child labour, environmental damage, unfair trade agreements and situations etc - the list is really endless.

The concept of money is interesting and this link makes a great attempt at explaining the concept including a good summary of the banking system.

http://www.thenervousbreakdown.com/mboyle/2010/10/why-moneyless-an-excerpt-from-mark-boyles-the-moneyless-man-a-year-in-freeconomic-living/