|
This section, and the
one on business, contains writings about our relationships in several
contexts – relationships through government, education, religion and
business. As in the other parts of this book, each section begins with
writings about the relationships followed by those which describe ways of
appreciating them.
David G and Carol
P. Myers. Wealth and Well-Being. New York: 1992. ISBN
0380-715228, Page 39
This may be a
surprise, but in the University of Michigan’s national surveys what matters
more than absolute wealth is perceived wealth. Money is two steps removed
from happiness. Actual income doesn’t much influence happiness; how
satisfied we are with our income does. If we’re content with our income,
regardless of how much it is, we’re likely to say we’re happy. Strangely,
however, there is only a slight tendency for people who make lots of money
to be more satisfied with what they make. It’s true: Satisfaction isn’t so
much getting what you want as wanting what you have. This implies two ways
to be rich: One is to have great wealth. The other is to have few wants.
“Peace in a thatched hut—that is happiness,” says a Chinese proverb.
Owen Ullmann,
Washington Editor for USA Today, Interview on Morning Edition with
Liane Hansen, Sunday, July 23, 2000.
What were the
subtexts of these meetings [of the G8 Countries] in Okinawa?
…The Europeans think
that the United States is so wedded to economic efficiency and is so driven
by the need to create economic prosperity that we don’t take the time to
smell the roses. You know, we are still debating in this country whether we
should have universal health care for people, whether we should have
prescription drug benefits for seniors who can’t even buy their drugs, and a
lot of the Europeans are saying, you know, it’s worth having a little higher
unemployment and a higher tax load to take care of these needs for people.
We have a different social contract. There’s more to life than simply
accumulating wealth and being on a rat race treadmill….
These countries are
trying to adopt their own model. On the other hand, the international
capitalist system is quite ruthless. They are looking for the greatest
return on investment, and they don’t care what the lifestyle choices are
different countries. And because the United States has adopted a much more
efficient model of growth, we are a better country for investments. And
that has discriminated against these other countries, and they are very
resentful. And the United States is kind of lording this success over them.
And remember this,
Liane, at some time, it doesn’t last forever, and there is going to be a big
fall. And I fear that a lot of the world is rooting for the United States
when it finally turns and we then have our decline…. |
