posted by Amy on September 14, 2009 at 11:02 AM in NPR, Economy, Overanalyzing
So, this morning they were talking on The Diane Rehm Show about the recent data on household income and poverty released by the Census Bureau. Part of the discussion addressed those at the highest end of the income spectrum. It got the rusty wheels of my brain turning.
When I think about what I would do if I were suddenly outrageously wealthy (which I don't do all that often - only, like, a few times a day), I usually assure myself that I would never be so spoiled and precious as to have a weekly maid or personal cook or private pilates instructor, etc. No, I would live below my means, in such a way that no one would even know just how rich I was. I'm so theoretically down to earth, aren't I?!
Instead, if I were suddenly weathy, I would make giving my money away a full-time job. Honestly, nothing would make me happier! And nothing would be more virtuous or good for society, right?
But then, the many years of being raised in a Republican household kicked in, and I started to wonder.
I have problems with huge disparities of wealth within a society, and I gravely wonder about the validity of living an extravegant lifestyle, particularly for a Christian. And yet, is there not something to be said for the ability to give someone a job? If I were able to hire a maid or a cook or whatever, and if I paid them very well and treated them very well, would that not be a good gift to those individuals that I would be employing? I hope that doesn't sound condescending, as though it would make me some kind of generous fairy godmother simply for deigning to allow someone to vacuum my rug. But do you get my point? If I can give someone a legitimate and respectful job, isn't that a good thing? I don't mean that I would do that instead of giving to charitable causes. But wouldn't creating jobs also be a blessing both to the economy in general as well as to the individuals? It made me think that part of my "charitable" activities ought to foster job creation.
Not that any of this is ever going to happen for me personally. In fact, this is probably a really dumb and boring post - but hey, these are the things I think about when I drive to work in the morning. Iam probably not taking all important points into consideration. It's Monday morning. Give me a break, it is amazing I am writing complete sentences at all.
Julia (guest)
In contrast, I would never want to hire someone to do my family's cooking because I really love doing it and it feels like a way that I nurture and care for my family. Just my own personal quirks, I think.
chaseafterwind
Something else that just popped into my mind - I am currently taking a class at Seminary which is focusing a lot on personal calling and giftedness. I am not gifted at cleaning and housework (except for laundry - I love laundry!). So why would it be so bad for me to give a means of livelihood to someone who IS gifted at housework?! Which, btw, I think is a wonderful, valuable and respect-deserving gift!