Occasionally I meet somebody outside of the context of my personal history, and in one way or another, it will become evident to them that I'm wealthy. And they say, "I'll be damned! You're not at all what I would expect." Hearing that always pleases me: I take it as a high compliment. I've had to work hard not to buy into the stereotypes about rich people. And I see those stereotypes everywhere. I want people to make up their mindsnot only about me, but also about other people I know who have moneybased on who they are, based on what they are doing, and based on what they love.

- A young heir interviewed by The Inheritance Project.

Visitors' Comments

The Inheritance Project welcomes your comments and
suggestions. You can say anything you want, and either
we will post it, or we won't.

Why do we live in a world where so few are allowed to have so much at the expense of so many? The system is sick, not you folks. You're just the lucky few who get to have a free ride on the backs of the rest of us.

My reaction is conditioned: I grew up in a single-parent household, and while we were not poor, we were always struggling. Because of my upbringing I grew up with a contempt for the wealthy. Having my mother work very hard for little or no reward does something to a person. Very few people make their fortunes because of how hard they work.

What bothers me most about the wealthy is that they reflect my own jealousy--a jealousy born from having the constant spectre of financial insecurity hovering over me. And from being sold that elusive myth of self-determination, The American Dream. Oh, what a whopper that is!

But, as much as I criticize the wealthy, I still wish I were in their shoes. No amount of telling me how difficult the "burden" of wealth is will convince me that I couldn't handle it. I would love to wear well-made clothes, own a second home in a beautiful place, and be able to travel whenever and wherever I wanted.

Yet, in a relative universe, I am wealthy. On two occasions, I worked for human rights in Central American countries, and to them I am a wealthy American--wealthy beyond imagination. I am comfortable, I eat well, I am employed as a teacher, and I'm getting my Master's degree. So it's all relative. I'm richer than they are, and you (I'm guessing) are richer than me.

I'd be happy with a home of my own and health insurance so my wife and I can have a family. The fact is: it is always going to be a struggle for people like me--a percentage that is getting larger and larger every day. My wife and I are teachers. Last year, together we made less than $40,000, and I'm already 40. We have no health benefits, no savings, and no equity. It is not because we spend our money frivolously. In fact, most of our money goes to pay rent and my student debt.

What's my point? Well, it's about balance: why can't there be more balance? I've never considered myself an anti-capitalist or a communist, but I've come to the conclusion that capitalism in its present incarnation is just plain wrong. I don't get the chance to share my views too much with folks in your position. I wish there were more people in your position who were willing to listen to people in my position.

Mark