Equality and Choice

The question of equality does not look as if it going to go away. The enemies of individuality and liberty never sleep--like greed.

A question on the topic worth considering is the complicated "choice question." Many feel that how one lives depends less on what your intellect is and more on the choice of your lifestyle. Shortstops and nuclear science jobs are very exclusive and pay well but are not in high demand. But if you choose to be a teacher, it is unlikely you will become rich. Ditto nursing. Or fiction writing.

Indeed there are few real jobs in the world that lead to wealth. But millionaires in the U.S.--who are generally not extraordinary people-- have some distinguishing characteristics. First, they usually do not live like millionaires; they are scrupulously frugal. For them, work is their enjoyment; life is otherwise not much fun. Second, they work several jobs or areas; over one third are immigrants whose first language is other than English and many own mundane businesses that they work like crazy on. (A common business is fast food, like pizza shops. Millionaires--and there are a lot that do this--own four or five such shops and are constantly working long hours at multiple sites.)

The casual office worker may admire the guy's earnings but not his life style. I know a guy who works as a military contractor in Africa. He makes a lot of money but I am not sure many people would think his paycheck would be worth it. Everyone will tell you there is a lot of financial opportunity owning rental property but one must accept a risk and an incredible hassle. The lower paid general practitioner had the same option to become a high paid neurosurgeon, but chose not to.

So how much of one's tax bracket is his own choice?