Why is it (human nature)?

[seamusTX]

Why is it that people say "he is/they are in it for the money," only about other people that they dislike or disagree with?

This is a rhetorical question, of course.

Saying "he's in it for the money" is about on the same level of maturity as calling someone a "boogerhead."

I personally know no one who is not "in it for the money." I spend most of my waking hours working for pay. I don't see any senators, congressmen, judges, lawyers, physicians, professional athletes, TV "personalities," car mechanics, or house painters working for no pay. I don't know of any food store, gas station, or electric utility that gives away goods at no cost.

Maybe there are some independently wealthy people who volunteer for good causes, but I don't personally know any. At best I see some people who volunteer on a limited basis after making sure they have paid their bills (this includes myself).

- Jim

[WildBill]

I think that most of it is an excuse so people won't feel as bad about themselves because they don't have money or aren't weathly. Recently one of the posters on the forum [Excaliber?] had an analogy that I think fits this situation. He described a bunch of crabs trying to crawl out of a bucket. None of them make it out because they keep dragging each other down.

Recently, I have seen a lot of stories about Charlie Sheen. Readers comment that he is so stupid because he makes $2 million per TV episode, but he is destroying his life and throwing his career away by drinking, drugs, and other things. I suspect that many of the people complaining make $40,000 per year and have similar self-destructive habits. But for themselves, they are just "having a good time".

[tacticool]

I personally know no one who is not "in it for the money." I spend most of my waking hours working for pay. I don't see any senators, congressmen, judges, lawyers, physicians, professional athletes, TV "personalities," car mechanics, or house painters working for no pay. I don't know of any food store, gas station, or electric utility that gives away goods at no cost.

You see that in the socialist medicine "debate" by people who think doctors should spend six figures on tuition and a decade of their life past past high school to become qualified to practice medicine as an individual, and not be allowed to charge a fair market price for their services.

[RPB]

I have no problem with anyone being "in it for the money"
I do have a problem if they are ONLY in it for the money, and are dishonest in getting it.

The difference I see with people I've known ONLY in it for the money is most I've known compromise compassion, truth, values, character, for money.

I have no problem at all with anyone doing a job well and being paid well though.

I mean it's ballplayers, versus ballplayers "fixing" a game. Fighter "taking a dive" Colin Goddard lying, etc.

It's the ethics.

[tacticool]

I have no problem with anyone being "in it for the money"
I do have a problem if they are ONLY in it for the money, and are dishonest in getting it.

The difference I see with people I've known ONLY in it for the money is most I've known compromise compassion, truth, values, character, for money.

I have no problem at all with anyone doing a job well and being paid well though.

I mean it's ballplayers, versus ballplayers "fixing" a game. Fighter "taking a dive" etc.

I agree and it's the fraud that's the problem, not the money. Someone using fraud for other reasons (e.g. gun control hysteria) is bad for the same reasons as someone using fraud for monetary gain.

[Texas Dan Mosby]

...compromise compassion, truth, values, character, for money.

Yup...

Look at celebrity marketing campaigns. How many actually use all of the products they endorse?

Don't even get me started on politicians.

Some folks would be willing to sell their very soul if the price was right...

[PappaGun]

...compromise compassion, truth, values, character, for money.

Yup...

Look at celebrity marketing campaigns. How many actually use all of the products they endorse?

Don't even get me started on politicians.

Some folks would be willing to sell their very soul if the price was right...

Christie Brinkley, George Foreman, Victoria Principal, Robert Conrad, Joe DiMaggio: say it ain't so... say it ain't so.

[seamusTX]

George Foreman is the real deal. I honestly admire the guy, and he is a native Texan (Marshall).

He also is in it for the money.

- Jim

[Oldgringo]

George Foreman is the real deal. I honestly admire the guy, and he is a native Texan (Marshall).

He also is in it for the money.

- Jim

I used to be in it for the money, now I'm just a "boogerhead", an old "boogerhead" at that. {Sigh}

[The Annoyed Man]

Saying "he's in it for the money" is about on the same level of maturity as calling someone a "boogerhead."

I don't have problem with somebody being in something just for the money, for most things anyway, but some people ARE boogerheads, and they need to be told so.



For instance... A pastor who's in it just for the money IS a boogerhead, and somebody needs to inform him that there are no boogers in heaven.

[chasfm11]

This topic is interesting in light of the fact that the movie "Atlas Shrugged" will come out in April. It brings up the two aspects of "he's in it for the money" that get me going.

Number 1.

Bernie Madoff was in it for the money
Rob Blagojevich was in it for the money
The Enron executive board was in it for the money.

As others have said, these kind show no value for legal, moral or ethical standards. Most often they "game" the system in order to garner their undeserved gains. All too often, there is some politician indirectly involved, helping to make it happen.

Number 2

The phrase is used to tear down guys like Steve Jobs who have brought outstanding products to the market that have benefited millions and deserve everything that they earn ...because they do earn it, and don't steal it or illegally stack the deck in their favor to acquire it. Those who use the phrase against true entrepreneurs are doing it to demean our entire free enterprise system. That is one of the reasons that I like "Atlas Shrugged" is because it presents examples like Hank Reardon and Reardon metal to illustrate the how capitalists are torn down by statists. I wish that "Atlas Shrugged" or "The Fountainhead" were required reading in the schools instead of the free enterprise bashing garbage. The real problem is that bashing the successful impacts society as a whole because it discourages effort and champions mediocrity - exactly the consequences that are intended by those who do it. There are thousands of hardworking, honest small business men who will never achieve the same success as Steve Jobs but bring about the betterment of society. NASA may have sponsored the space shuttle but there were many independent contractors who significantly contributed to that result. Everyone of them was in it for personal gain but contributed to the betterment of all in the process.

[jimlongley]

I was in it for the money, and now a company I never worked for pays me to not work for them.

[cheezit]

I go to work everyday. Im not there to make friends, If I wanted friends I would go to the bar after work and buy everyone beer. I dont drink. I likes my money.

[rdcrags]

In my mind, it boils down to "ill-gotten gain", or not. I must say, though, that when a CEO accepts a sizable bonus when the company lost a sizable chunk of money, the gain is "ill-gotten".

[PappaGun]

...and somebody needs to inform him that there are no boogers in heaven.

Source please!