In the United States, the perception of wealth is a complex issue.
It seems that it is acceptable to be affluent, but only to a certain extent.
This paradoxical attitude is evident in the lives of public figures such as New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Despite her considerable wealth, she is not subjected to the same scrutiny and disdain reserved for billionaires, who are often portrayed as villains in the public discourse. This selective vilification of wealth is a common trait among prominent socialists like Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who live comfortably while advocating for the redistribution of wealth from the ultra-rich.
According to RedState, the narrative surrounding wealth in America is often skewed. The wealthy are demonized, particularly if they are Republicans, while those in the top 10 percent of households are not considered "rich" if they align with socialist ideologies. This dichotomy is a result of the prevailing belief that being born into wealth is akin to an original sin. Consequently, many public figures strive to project an image of struggle and hardship, even if it contradicts their actual upbringing.
This phenomenon was highlighted by New York State GOP Assemblyman Matt Slater, who represents Yorktown. Slater, who was a classmate of Ocasio-Cortez, exposed her claim of being raised in the Bronx as a fabrication. In reality, she grew up in Yorktown Heights, a wealthy suburb an hour outside of New York City. Slater told Fox News, "She's lying about her background, she's lying about her upbringing."
He also criticized other Democratic figures, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, accusing them of embellishing aspects of their lives for political gain. "They do not connect with their voters if they [voters] actually know the truth about them," Slater argued. "This is just part of the big lie that they continue to peddle just to make sure that they win elections."
However, this practice is not exclusive to the left. Many politicians, business leaders, and ordinary citizens attempt to portray themselves as self-made individuals who rose from humble beginnings. The reality is that most of these individuals were born into middle-class families, just like the majority of Americans. The narrative of overcoming adversity and achieving success through hard work is more compelling and garners more respect, hence its popularity.
Yet, being born into wealth should not be viewed as a negative trait. It is not a societal sin, despite the prevailing perception. The American dream is about working hard to provide better opportunities for our children. We strive to give them the tools for success that we had to struggle to obtain. We want to provide them with a solid foundation from which they can reach even greater heights.
The negative perception of wealth, particularly in public discourse, seems to impose a limit on success. It encourages individuals to hide or even despise their wealth. On the left, this self-loathing often leads to radical activism or, at the very least, a disdain for the system that enabled their prosperity. This results in support for socialist or hard-left ideologies, which not only limit their own potential but also hinder the progress of others.
However, we have seen the positive impact of wealth when it is coupled with the right tools and knowledge. Elon Musk and Donald J. Trump are prime examples. Both were born into wealth and used their advantages to create businesses that are changing the world. They have surpassed their successful parents and are ushering humanity into a new era.
The real issue is not being born into wealth, but failing to utilize the advantages that come with it. Ocasio-Cortez, for instance, was born into privilege but has used her position to obstruct opportunities for others, such as when she prevented Amazon from building a headquarters in New York. This could have improved many lives, but her misguided belief in the sinfulness of her privilege led her to make a decision that had negative repercussions.
The goal should be to accumulate wealth and pass on the knowledge of success to the next generation. If they can use this knowledge and their privileged status to achieve greater success, then the cycle of prosperity continues. If they fail to do so, it is not a failure of their birth but a failure of parenting. This harmful narrative that equates birth into wealth with failure is one that needs to be challenged.
In America, success is valued. We should take pride in achieving it and in raising our children in an environment of success. The narrative surrounding wealth needs to shift from one of vilification and guilt to one of opportunity and responsibility.
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