Kent1999

I see what you're saying, but we'll just have to 'agree to disagree' on this.

I'm 99.9% sure that the OP's 'questioner' was NOT benignly wanting to start a socio-economic discussion, but rather was just snarking about OP's Corvette and trying to 'success-shame' the OP with a 'holier than thou' attitude, which is a hallmark tactic of a certain political persuasion.

defaria

-Teach the man to phish and he'll drain your bank account!

defaria

As a guy who has moved 23 times now - if you're spending 3 grand to move you're doing it wrong!

9779

Agreed, a lot of pickups cost more!

LT1 Z51

Well that may be true about the OP. But you can tailor your response to avoid the bait. I think we're in agreement there.

360Lemans

Have you moved to South Korea, Three moves to Germany, Okinawa Japan, South West Asia? Lived in two countries at the same time, having to relocate spouse? Wait let me answer for you, NO!!!

cor66vette

Kent1999, you can safely be 100% sure of that.

defaria

You're right! I would think that moving to different countries would increase the cost substantially. I was thinking within the US moves.

patentcad

It's even better for the top 1%.

Just sayin.

Kent1999

True, but what ISN'T better in the top 1%?
Thus the impetus to better our situation in life through our own efforts.

Are those efforts always fruitful for everyone?
No, but a person's chances of achieving success, however he measures it, are MUCH greater through his own efforts than if he sits around waiting for it to be handed to him, because 'fairness'.

KnightDriveTV

If you worked your life and found yourself in the top 1% or top 5%, who am I to take your money from you? Good for them...

defaria

Yes! Which is exactly why it works! The desire to raise oneself higher because of the likelihood of even greater returns is exactly what causes industrious and hardworking people to move up the economic ladder. Sure if you're gonna look specifically and the very biggest case, the 1%, you'll see the effect more profoundly. But the millionaire next door, who worked hard all his life to amass a small chain of stores did so precisely because he saw those above him lead the way to more prosperity. IOW if it wasn't better for the people above you then you'd have little incentive to work hard in an attempt to be like them. That's how it works!

LT1 Z51

Unless you were born with those advantages.

I come from an upper middle class background (my parents raised their standard of living significantly from when they got married until I graduated college) and some of my middle class and lower middle class acquaintances "cry foul" because they did not have the same advantages I had.

Granted that is a tangential argument here, but it should be noted money does not always come from your own hard work. I'd have none of the stuff I have if my parents didn't send me to good schools, pay for college, and help me get on my feet until I had a good paying job.

I think this usually gets lost when people pick sides, which is why I refuse to pick a side. Capitalism is great, but at a minimum opportunities need to exist so everyone has the best chance at succeeding (what those opportunities are is up for debate, naturally).

Ymmv.

drs

You are describing a premise that is one of the root causes of disagreement. People who feel they have done little to deserve their current position in life, may tend to believe the less fortunate should have a share of their success. People who feel they have worked hard to build their own current position in life, may tend to believe that equal opportunity exists, but that equal opportunity does not guarantee equal results.

AdventurePoser

AdventurePoser

I was born as a white male to middle class professionals who valued education and hard work. I feel that a large portion of my success is related to the background I was born into, not because of my hard work. Of course, the OTHER portion of my "success" was due to my hard work and a degree of financial planning. I thank my parents for the traits they instilled in me.

I am always uncomfortable when I hear things like "Hey, man it must be nice to be rich, or must be nice to own a fancy car." I don't know how to respond, so I usually smile and just say, "Thanks, I really like the car..."

AdventurePoser

Wrong.

Give a man a fish and he'll eat today
Teach a man to fish and he'll sit in a boat drinking beer all day.

360Lemans

Now that was funny

TyBoo

When someone compliments or comments on the car I truthfully tell them I have wanted a Stingray since I was 12 years old so after raising my family and working 45 years in the same job I was able to buy one. I take no offense at whatever judgement they may pass and offer none of my own.

Now if someone were to quote to me the sappy remark the OP relayed, I might be inclined to point out that it has been around for a lot of years and previous versions have substituted other cars and motorcycles. Anyone who is pure enough of heart to genuinely care about alleviating hunger can find more constructive ways to do so than repeating some meme they saw on the internet so I would dismiss the comment as a feel-good gimmick or an attempt to incite political discord.

And...I do a lot of fishing but never drink beer on the boat until it is tied up to the dock!

DickieDoo

Everytime that car is sold, the government gets sales tax on it ( at least here is Canada ) Every gallon of fuel i buy is chalk full of taxes, my insurance is taxed, i pay licensing fees...etc...

This car is feeding a lot of people already just because i bought it ! At least I am getting some enjoyment out of it. I i had not car, i would be feeding anyone ! Not only GM and its subsiduries!

WE end up paying more in sales tax eventually as that car trades hands that the bloody this is worth !

I am actually glad it's a Carbon dioxide generator ! I will soon be taxed for that... imagine, for contributing a vital gas into the atmosphere that not only improves our climate but makes vital plants grow faster, and these plants provide us with Oxygen! How amazing is that !