What percentage of companies & people build their wealth honestly?

[dss62467]

All these news stories coming at us everyday about corruption - the Wall St. disaster, Bernie Madoff, this clown pilot who tried to fake his death because he was ripping people off, the medical insurance company who overcharged for out-of-network charges....it's disgusting! So many people and companies work honestly and wonder what it takes to get to that Pie in the Sky...and I wonder if it takes selling your soul.

OK...I know there are wealthy people who just are really good at what they do, and have worked very hard to build their wealth and businesses honestly....but I'm just getting corruption overload!

 

[tneah]

Nope, just a lot of paying your dues, lots of hard work and a little bit of luck.

 

[fit44]

A lot of hard work, willingness to put in the time, and sacrifice. You don't read about these people in the media because that is too boring.

Hopefully, all the crooks get caught one way or another.

 

[LauraMax]

A lot of hard work, willingness to put in the time, and sacrifice. You don't read about these people in the media because that is too boring.

My thoughts exactly. Good news doesn't make good news.

 

[pink_fortitude]

My thoughts exactly. Good news doesn't make good news.

Isn't that sad? It would be so encouraging to hear about the people that are doing good as often as we hear the negative... I bet everyone in general would be happier and more giving if they didn't hear about only doom and gloom, it would also be much more hopeful and people would be kinder.

But to the original post, DH runs a business, and while he is loved and has a very good and well deserved reputation he has costumers who will try to take complete advantage of him and his kindness and try to swindle him out of thousands - they want his labor and their problems fixed for free. It goes both ways and both sides are disgusting.

Missy

 

[dss62467]

DH runs a business, and while he is loved and has a very good and well deserved reputation he has costumers who will try to take complete advantage of him and his kindness and try to swindle him out of thousands - they want his labor and their problems fixed for free. It goes both ways and both sides are disgusting.

Missy

Yeah, of course you're right. My father was a self-employed store owner, then salesman his whole life. Never was wealthy, but definitely comfortable. He ran across this everyday.

Then again....I'm talking about the FILTHY rich! Oh wait...there are some honest ones, Bill Gates, Paul Newman, Oprah...OK. That makes me feel better.

 

[SirenSongWoman]

One time there was a whole week of Biography episodes ("Captains of Industry") on A&E featuring famous self-made millionaire/billionaires from way back in the day. I remember they did Carnegie (William?) and James Cash Penney. All the "Captains" had two things in common: 1) They did whatever they had to to get where they wanted to be (a natural cruel streak, an ability to step over anyone and get a good night's sleep that I found shocking) and 2) They all lost their fortunes at least once, but always came back to rebuild their wealth. I remember one "Captain" lost his fortune four times but still managed to die an extremely wealthy man.