Nolen: Some people want more out of life than money

There is a question on the table. And we all need to answer this one. The question is: Do we all envy rich people? Think about it.

I have heard this charge leveled at poor people, especially over the last few weeks, and so I’ve been thinking about it.

Over the course of my life, I have to honestly admit that I have met some people who are envious of rich people. They talk about them all the time. They constantly weigh their lives in relationship to people who have a lot of money. They virtually begin every sentence with the words, if I had a lot of money I would… .

Personally, every time I hear the charge, I am offended.

In the first place, I am a descendant of slaves who were brought to this country against their will and forced to work without pay for hundreds of years. So it is unlikely that I would be rich. And I would hardly expect the descendants of slaveholders to be aware of that fact or even to acknowledge it.

But to answer the question, actually, the only situation or circumstance in this world that would cause me to envy the rich would be their ability to pay for life-saving health benefits for their loved ones that would be unavailable to those without adequate funds.

Otherwise, if I had a lot of money I would have to spend all my waking hours in penance working for the poor. Certainly, it’s not that I think people shouldn’t have money or be successful, it is that I’m not personally interested in that program.

I’m truly sorry that people feel that poor people envy them for their success. After all, those of us brought up under capitalism understand how the system works. One grows up, gets a good education in the hope of getting a job that will propel her into fame and fortune. If most people succeed in that goal, it is what is expected.

On the other hand, there are some people who want more out of life than this. And I hope no one is envious of that.

Some people desire to do good in the world, to help other people, to help solve the problems facing mankind, to make the world a better place for everybody. Some people want to heal the sick, others want to make peace between enemies.

With some people, it’s about more than money. And it’s not that they envy those with financial goods, it’s that they don’t regard having money as particularly noteworthy.

Some people are born with money that they have done nothing to earn. Sorry, I don’t find that enviable.

I know people who have very little money who are very successful. Some of them have taken in children who have lost parents, others have cared for older people who were in poor health.

These are the kind of people who are the salt of the earth. These are people whom I admire, but I don’t envy them, either.

So, as far as I’m concerned, rich people are free to enjoy their wealth. Personally, I’d rather be happy.

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Is there anyone in this town concerned that people are out of work? Is there anyone attempting to find jobs that they can bring to Sedalia?

This is probably the only city where there’s no one whose job it is to find work for people.

People in Sedalia are volunteering to cook meals for the hungry and performing all kinds of tasks to help those in need. But apparently there is no one in an official capacity to go out and look for jobs.

Didn’t the City of Sedalia have someone hired for that purpose? I can’t think of a job that needs filling worse than that.

How in the heck do you expect jobs to come to Sedalia if no one goes out and looks for them?

People are going out of business, and no one is trying to keep Sedalia alive. We need jobs, and we need businesses.

Can we put Sedalia to work?