Do you ever think about the less fortunate when buying a ferrari?

Pete,

You are correct. If there were no wars, no famine, no poor, no uneducated, the world would be a great place. But like you said that is a bit too optimistic.

Thank you for sharing your story. Hearing that makes me feel good, that other people are trying and making it. That the world is not full of lazy bums (sorry my view is diluted by rich college students who waste thier parents money on marijuana). Yes it is amazing the capability of human beings to survive, you would be amazed.

Good night to you, and as always pleasure is all mine in chatting with you.

 

If you can't get them I will send you my copies of his books that I have. You shared a great story with us and that deserves reward. Private message your address and I will send them to you. This I believe is the best generosity. A hand up.

 

Thank you for the offer! That is very kind. I will check my closest public library in Los Angeles on friday once I am down there. If for some reason I can't find it, I will send you my address, and after I read them, I will prompty send them back to you.

 

Better than send them back to me, just pass them on to someone else who needs the knowledge. I had someone do the same for me. Keeps the good Karma flowing.

 

No.

 

I think the saying actually goes:

" Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day, teach him to fish and he'll sit in a bass boat and drink beer all day"


mds

 

No. I grew up with nothing. Mother couldn't afford to pay for higher education, so I worked my way through, - paid back all my student loans. The government never gave me anything that I didn't pay for, except a hard time and a few slaps on the head.

One thing I learned was that, ultimately, we all have the government that we really desire.

Nobody ever gave me one thing, nothing, and I do not feel in any way guilty for anything that I have worked long and hard for.

Actually, that oft repeated mantra "Only 30 cents for a meal" is nonsense.
All you do with your charity is prop up a brutal regime, allowing them to continue spending all their wealth on guns and their own personal greeds, while you feed the populace. That money is better spent to bomb that government out of existence. Need to feel better? Walk to your local church or NGO and get involved in *real* local charity work. Stop talking - start walking.

As for America beating down the black man - CRAP. Intellectual pablum for the masses...

We have an opportunity, that's all.
And that's all we need to be great.

 

Rich Man, Poor Man

This book seems to have caused some controversy.

http://www.johntreed.com/Kiyosaki.html

 

Tim, It is great that you are asking these kinds of questions. Developing a strong social consicense will make you a better person and, certainly, helps make the world a better place. We can use more of this.

That said, you'll discover as you go down the road that pursuring your own self interests is actually the best way to help others. This may sound like a rationalization, but it's not. Except when a disaster occurs, giving people things doesn't change anything. You can have a bigger impact by being part of the small percentage of the population that actually does something. I don't know the actual breakdown, but I'll guess that only 5% of the people in the US actually contribute towards a better tomorrow. The rest just ride on their backs (and complain).

My point is that by being part of this elite group of risk takers and leaders, you will do more to help the disadvantaged people of the world than all the Sally Struters "feed the children" info ads. This may sound cold, but this is how the wheel turns. Always has and always will be.

For those interested in why certain countries (i.e., Africa) have not done as well as, say, the European countries, get the "Guns, Grems, and Steel" book. It will answer a lot of your questions. Hint, it has nothing to do with race.

Best, Dale

 

Fair enough, you are obviously completely correct that we shouldn't take stuff for granted. I sort of felt your original post was a little ascerbic and read a little like "people who have Ferraris are selfish and uncaring." Hopefully everyone on this forum will someday be able to do both - have lovely things and make the world a better place.

 

I think about this quite often as I wonder why fate chose me to be born to a wealthy family and become one of the most educated people on the planet living in the most powerful nation on the planet. I donate a lot to charity and I follow Ghandi in that I show my thanks for the generosity the Universe has shown me and I show my respect to Divinty by being kind to everyone and everything I meet. This is called Ahimsa in the Hindu belief system

Ferraris to me are art and art and beauty are always good for the world. My cars have made a lot of people happy and I take a lot of people for rides on the road or track. I cant cure all the worlds problems but if my Ferrari & I can make a few people smile every day then thats a small accomplishment towards the betterment of the world

 

I have no use for guilt. I do however believe very strongly in compassion for all beings.

I also try to help the world by not doing business or buying from countries which I view as acting in a reprehensable loathesome manner like China, NK, and other o****ires which abuse, torture, and enslave their own people. WalMart shoppers may support CHina but China isnt getting $ out of my wallet.

 

I think of the less fortunate in the US and around the world when I go to McDonalds. One does not have to think of the downtrodden only when making an expensive purchase. One must give thanks for everything they have in life.

 

I agree with what everyone has said, we create opportunities for people to suceed and feed themselves so NO the thought never crossed my mind. BTW, really stupid thread.

 

Short, sweet and to the point as always Allan...BRAVO!

 

Short answer is no,I come from a poor background and have did everything for myself knowone has helped me and I feel proud to wear a rolex and drive an F-car.
Ryan you will for sure be a success.
Best regards
Dave McGuire

 

I disagree. Even in Texas, I occasionlly run into the bleeding heart who says, "How dare you spend this money on a toy when children are starving."

Remember, in our Republic, everybody gets one vote. Like it or not, there are more bleeding hearts out there than car guys. We need to be careful because, one other fact of life, is that other's people's perceptions become your reality.

Best, DrTax

 

No. I give in other ways. I am a mere mortal, not a saint. ;o)

OH, and BTW, regarding this theme, anyone within driving distance of Long Island, please see the "ROE" thread in the tri state section of F chat.

 

Where did you run into that but_head, Dr. Tax? LOL!

I just wanted to pop in and say that I've spent $35K for my car, but it has caused HUNDREDS of people to ask "What is Child Advocates?" or "How can I get involved?". In this way, I feel I am turning the vehicle into a public awareness campaign for a good cause.

Amount my little racing karts have raised? Over $65,000. A 360 Challenge driver has raised even more for Make a Wish! So I think it's about paying attention to the big issues, as WILLIAM H has posted.

Our cars are a rare beautiful thing to most, that don't have them.
By sharing and motivating others, I think the extravagance is put to good use!
That's how I got involved with the Art Car movement, they also do great work with young children in schools.

When folks ask how my car helps the kids, I say "It takes me by your office to pick up a donation!" LOL!
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Yes, a little. And not only about the less fortunate, but about my family too.

Granted, I only have a 308 GT4. But, to me, it was a nice chunk of money. Sometimes I feel that I could have better spent that money. Donate more to charity. Stuff it into the kids education. Heck, even invest it for myself, so that I can have more money later on to pay for more stuff for my kids, and give more to charity, etc.

Buying a ferrari was a selfish decision for me. But, I don't regret it one bit.

Dom

 

True, but not acceptable to the liberal conscience.

 

No, like this:

"Build a man a fire and you keep him warm for a day, light a man on fire and you keep him warm for the rest of his life."

 

Good point Doctore.