( “National policy is driven by societal pressures, millions of people thinking and acting and reacting like a school of mackerel. Politicians are just as much affected by these waves as any other person.”)

into the term “Vote buying”

Outrage over the payouts were unjustified, but the outrage was not caused by wealth envy, it was caused by ignorance. Ignorance of the true story behind the inflammatory word “bonus” used to describe the payouts by the press. Ignorance is much more sinister and debilitating then ‘wealth envy’ will ever be.

In my experience ‘wealth envy’ is either an urban legend or nobody admits that they despise rich people . Everyone wants to be rich, and rich people are revered, honored and afforded every luxury and are forgiven their transgressions quicker then the poor in this society. Although the praise is superficial it is often warranted because rich people are typically smarter and they have worked harder. Celebrating the rich and powerful is a basic American trait (maybe even a human trait) , and disdain for the rich and powerful is not.

The AIG ‘bonuses’ were merely retention payments to guarantee that during the company’s roughest times, the best people they had wouldn’t leave the floundering ship unmanned and doomed to sink. The press’ initial reports on these payouts though failed to mention this fact. Sensationalism sells, and the press was just doing their job. Everyones got to eat.

However, now the individuals involved in the maelstrom are now having to fight tooth and nail to protect their honor and to place blame where blame is due. Hence the letter. That man, the author, will be rich one day, if he isn’t already; because he knows how to buck a trend. He knows how to get the school of fish swimming in the other direction. He is in a ‘Fight Gone Bad’, and he is not giving up.

My new “magic” number. Carb loading and hydrating today, good sleep tonight, and then hitting this at lunch tomorrow. I really hope I don’t over think this. It is just a WOD but……….