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Sunday, April 11th, 2010

I selected these few sentences out of a very interesting response sent me by M.W., as it points out the challenge – “What is fair or (as in greed) unfair?”

As a society or as world citizens we all have a responsibility. Together we have to define what is fair and what is not. When does normal behavior – business as usual – becomes greed?

Transparancy is an important element, but so is the economic system itself. As long as the capitalistic system remains the dominant economic system in the world and as long as there are vast economic difference between different parts of the world I believe greed will be a tough nut to crack.

-M.W., The Netherlands

My response:

“Fair” rules need to be set and “unfair” activities punished. Fair does not mean “equal,” it means honest dealings as determined by society and with all the cards on the table. Usurious interest rates are not in themselves “unfair” – but designing these triggers into the “small print” specifically to ramp up the monies due is unfair.

Greed is a tough nut to crack, indeed. When WOAA comes out, we presume to have some answers to that. Why do we practice Greed? To paraphrase Willy Sutton – ‘That’s where the money is.’”

Here is a more critical response to my thoughts about greed:

“I’m not quite sure what your point is on the collection stories. You start out saying that both employers and workers are greedy which should include just about everyone. Then your collection stories indicate that the person owed the money was greedy to collect it. At the end, back to individual responsibility and assessing needs and wants. Aren’t people who don’t repay debt greedy also?”

-R.S., Minnesota, USA

And, my reply:

“Actually, R.S., I didn’t say in my blog that employers and workers are greedy. What I did say is that – in both camps – greed can come into play. Thankfully, the vast majority of people and companies play the game with responsibility and keep the American Dream alive.

Your second point, which seems to be that if a person collecting money is greedy (your words), aren’t people who don’t repay their debts greedy, too?

Let me make it clear. There is nothing “greedy” about being paid for services and products rendered. Value given for value received! My concern is in the fashion by transactions that are informed by greed. The example I gave was the the payday lender (a good thing) using high rates and egregious collection tactics in collecting that money (a bad thing).

I do not categorize people who are not paying their debts as “greedy.” I may question how they got themselves into that position (bigger house, vacations?). Given this economy, job losses, medical bills – many once categorized as good people are now in bad circumstances. Not being able to pay bills has nothing to do with greed.

Yes, I do believe it is important to be responsible. Is it too much to ask that responsibility includes the responsibility to not be greedy?