Essay #1

This is my first essay assignment for my writing class. The previous one did not require any kind of formatting or sources. I just threw them in for good measure. I was limited in my source options. I don't really have a very strong opinion on wealth. As I point out in the essay I think obtaining wealth is just fine, but I do have a strong opinion about families. I think that it is the family that often gets hurt as attention is diverted elsewhere. My argument was limited to only three articles, none of which mention family. I chose this topic because the majority of opinion articles discussed Sarah Palin. I did not want to go there, and it was hard to find three or even two separate sources that discussed anything other than Governor Palin.




Edward Ellsworth
Professor Longoria
WRC 1023
5 September 2008

Life on Top of the Economic Ladder

What was rich 40 years ago is not the case today. Someone may work their entire life attempting to climb the economic ladder of success and never see the top. Meanwhile, the opportunities found in family and friends go passing by. Once wealth is obtained there are no guarantees that life will get easier, or that riches can bring satisfaction. A life that is spent in the pursuit of wealth is wasted, because life is too short for the fast lane, and there are greater joys that far too often just slip past without notice.

American culture has come to accept wealth as the symbol of success. After all, if a man works hard he should reap the rewards of his labor. In the present, more than in times past, men can rise to success from their own merits and not just from the position they are born into. Everywhere in the world today there are images appealing to the need for status and recognition. As it has been observed by Dr. Dalton Conley, of the University of New York, industry has the age old image of bringing the fruits of comfort, plenty, and respect (par. 3). Dr. Conley also points out that expensive laptops, mobile phones, and blackberries have become the image of the working business man (par. 8). The message comes across that the more a person owns the greater their importance will be. Advertisements prompt buyers to purchase these products for the sake of status. According to an editorial published by the Washington Times work is no longer a simple means of satisfying our needs. Today work is viewed through the medium of a career for the purpose of making a mark in the world ("Too busy...", par. 6). Sam Dealey, opinion writer for U.S. News, analyzes Dr. Conley's article by pointing out that the stereotype of the "idle rich", who harvest their money off of trees and victimize the rest of the world, is false(par. 1).

Though he criticizes Conley, Dealey does concede that those who earn the most work the hardest (Dealey, par. 4). Americans in the nineteenth century worked an average twelve hours per day, seven days a week("Too busy...", par 4). Today there is more leisure time, but in order to move ahead the entrepreneur has to "burn the midnight oil"(Dealey, par. 4). This means extra hours at the office, more time spent making phone calls, doing research, entertaining clients, and volunteering for the occasional charity. Conley states, that the "higher-income folks work more hours than lower-wage earners do"(par. 4). He goes on to explain the "economic red shift", a sensation experienced by the lower upper-class as their wealthy peers move out ahead of them. It creates a cycle that causes the wealthy to constantly strive to obtain more wealth(Conley, par.11). The Washington Times article agrees with Conley by saying that the majority of Americans have abundant choices in the number of hours and job options, but higher-income families spend less time in leisure than lower-income families do("Too busy...", par. 10).

After a man has surrounded himself with riches it is easy to think that he will sit back and relax. Studies are showing that this is not the case. Conley observes that one study has said, "women with higher incomes report feeling more stressed than women with lower incomes"(Conley, par. 7). The Washington Times attributed this to the soccer mom attitude. Women that can pay for their children's extra-curricular activities have so little "me" time for exercise and hobbies that the term "leisure" becomes redefined. The distinction between work and play has become less clear("Too busy...", par. 11). The article concludes that the spiritual aspects of life are being sacrificed, and suggests that a lack of time is due to a confusion regarding values and priorities (par.13).

It is often argued that without money the stresses in life are too great. If crime is taken out of the equation it becomes more difficult to see the hardships of poverty in modern America. I do agree that finances can be a great burden on a family, and not everyone who has money will neglect the special intimate moments that make life so meaningful and worthwhile. The wealthy have done a lot of good for the world. Rising to a higher income often means rising to greater responsibilities. Indeed, to work hard and see the fruits of labor is a very rewarding experience. This is hardly a free ride, but the idea of working harder today so that there is no need to work in the future is a fallacy. When do the rewards become great enough to satisfy the demands of labor? Obligations to companies, stockholders, family, government, and sometimes the public at large greatly tax a persons time and resources. There are often missed opportunities to see a smile, a sunset, a day on the beach, or to have a long conversation with a daughter or son. There needs to be a steady balance between work and life.

The wealthy live a fast paced life. It is not an easy life. In fact it is starting to appear that the life of the rich may be more difficult than the life of the poor. The wealthy are certainly working hard, but sometimes it is necessary to sacrifice a little bit of wealth for a memory that will last a lifetime. It is wise not to become so consumed in the pursuit of wealth and success that the little things pass on by.

Works Cited

Conley, Dalton. “Rich Man’s Burden”. Editorial The New York Times On line. 02 Sept. 2008. 02 Sept.2008 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/opinion/02conley.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=rich%20man.

Dealey, Sam."Class Warfare and the Hard-Working Wealthy”. Editorial. U. S. News. 02 Sept. 2008. 02 Sept.2008 http://www.usnews.com/blogs/sam-dealey/2008/9/2/class-warfare-and-the-hard-working-wealthy.html.

“Too busy to enjoy Labor Day?”.Editorial. The Washington Times. 02 Sept. 2008. 02 Sept. 2008 http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/sep/01/too-busy-to-enjoy-labor-day/.