dagblog - Comments for "America's new Gentry"

Oh where is Dickday when you

cmaukonen — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 20:45:34 +0000

In reply to Of course, there is also the

Oh where is Dickday when you need him. HA.. definitely deserves the daily comment of the day award.

But you got that right. Us old money-less take umbrage to the new money-less messing up our neighborhood and property values.

Of course, there is also the

MrSmith1 — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 18:19:00 +0000

In reply to Although I have not been

Of course, there is also the "Old money-less" that resents the recently impoverished "New money-less" ... The "Old Money-less" are thoroughly embarrassed by the constant whining of the "New Money-less," and wish they would get a grip and accept their sorry lot.

For "Old Money-less" families, most of whom both landed at Jamestown AND came over on the Mayflower, it's been a very long time since they gave up wondering how they let the entire country slip through their fingers. The truth is, they didn't care to accumulate wealth. They were here for the freedom and the pursuit of happiness. They lived mostly humble lives of sacrifice and hard work, not wishing to make a spectacle of themselves and now, these recent victims of bad investments, under-water mortgages and over-extended credit lines come along and give the money-less a bad name.

Although I have not been

cmaukonen — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:13:18 +0000

In reply to If one thinks of the "gentry"

Although I have not been privy to it, it does seem that there is still some battles in certain places on the East Coast between the "Old Money" and the "New Money."

Well it's been like that ever since there has been "Old Money" vs "New Money".

I think one of the situations that really gets me is this.

For most people, “rich” starts at roughly double whatever their own household income is. It’s the hedonic treadmill: you race towards it, but you never achieve it — even when you’re living in a million-dollar home and pulling down something north of $400,000 a year. Or, I daresay, when you’re living in a $4 million home and making $1 million a year. It’s just that above a certain income, people (Ben Stein, of course, always excepted) tend to have the good sense not to whine in public about how hard their life is.

That anyone who makes 250k or more could be just one or two paychecks away from economic disaster is simply incredulous. How can that be ?

But there are a large number who are. Maybe that is why we have "Old Money". The "Old Money" did not live like they had more money than they actually had.

If one thinks of the "gentry"

Elusive Trope — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:33:16 +0000

In reply to America's new Gentry

If one thinks of the "gentry" as simple those who make up the upper or ruling class of society, then as Ramona points out, they have always been among us, and my guess will be so for some time to come.

Although I have not been privy to it, it does seem that there is still some battles in certain places on the East Coast between the "Old Money" and the "New Money." The former, which I believe would like to think of themselves as "people of gentle birth*, good breeding, or high social position" and see the latter as barbarians with big checking accounts. The latter both resent the Old Money people and yet at the same time wish to have their affirmation.

*as opposed to the rest of us who emerge into the world through our rough births

In the end, I assume when the push comes to the shove, the two sides come together in their efforts to keep the unwashed masses from gaining to much power. And of course, it is human nature that if is able to benefit one's self through the exercise of one's economic, social, and political power, one typically do so. Even if from the perspective of those in the upper classes it seems unfair. The same goes with creating a unlevel playing field that tilts in one's favor. Not only it is in their nature, I believe that most feel they are truly entitled to such favors and benefits. They are after all the "job creators" and the ones that make society "go" as well as ensuring through their good breeding the continuation of civilized society.

The gentry have always been

Ramona — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:32:47 +0000

In reply to America's new Gentry

The gentry have always been among us. But now that they look like the guy on the right we're not so sure who to be throwing eggs at. It was a lot easier when they looked the part.

I've always hated that term "free market". It's not a "market" if it's free.

hehe...good one.

cmaukonen — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 02:02:18 +0000

In reply to Gently jettison this 'genial'

hehe...good one.

Gently jettison this 'genial'

MrSmith1 — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 01:58:33 +0000

In reply to America's new Gentry

Gently jettison this 'genial' Gentry. Badly battered by bumbling banking bailouts, pitiful peons protest pissily, provoking prescribed protocols proposed by professional politicians, punishing peasants. "Generous" Gentry jeers at pitiful peons. Peons' pain persists.