The first time I saw this commercial it pissed me off. The second time...I got fucking angry! This commercial exudes almost everything that is wrong with our country. The actor even mentions "stuff" several times. Oh how I loathe "stuff"! It ranks right up there with the American version of poor, survive, and suffering.
I'm not telling you not to work hard. I work hard, my family has worked hard, but to work hard in order to accumulate more stuff is fucking asinine. Why didn't he also talk about how we accumulate mountains of debt, specifically bad debt like credit cards? If you borrow money to buy shit you don't need in order to impress people that don't care about you, then is that really working hard? Not in my book.
Yes, the Wright brothers worked hard. So did Sam Walton, along with Warren Buffett and Henry Ford. Living in the same house for 50 years, driving a late model Ford F-150, so that he could carry his bird dogs around with him is how it's supposed to be done. If you want to be super rich, FINE! But do it the Sam Walton way, not the Larry Ellison way.
I'm not telling you not to work hard. I work hard, my family has worked hard, but to work hard in order to accumulate more stuff is fucking asinine. Why didn't he also talk about how we accumulate mountains of debt, specifically bad debt like credit cards? If you borrow money to buy shit you don't need in order to impress people that don't care about you, then is that really working hard? Not in my book.
Yes, the Wright brothers worked hard. So did Sam Walton, along with Warren Buffett and Henry Ford. Living in the same house for 50 years, driving a late model Ford F-150, so that he could carry his bird dogs around with him is how it's supposed to be done. If you want to be super rich, FINE! But do it the Sam Walton way, not the Larry Ellison way.
Depending upon which survey you look at, financial problems are either the number 1 or number 2 reason for divorces. So what's better, you work your ass off and stay away from home and accumulate more "stuff" and more debt so that you can give your kids the life they "deserve" (there's another word I hate)? Or you live frugally and get to have more time with friends and family, all while still saving plenty of money? Again, there's nothing wrong with working hard. As I travel around the world I'm amazed at the lackadaisical attitude towards work. 35 hour work weeks, mandatory 4 weeks of vacation, workers right so onerous that companies have to close their doors before they lay off their employees. It's insane!
You'd think with all of this hard work and stuff, we must be happier according to this commercial. I mean the guy drives away in an electric cadillac for God's sake, what could be better?? In reality though Americans aren't happier. Actually they're much less happy when you look at the happiness surveys that are put out every year.
So what's the solution? I love solutions! Don't be the guy in the commercial! Work hard if you love your job or you are growing a business. But know that accumulating more stuff won't make you happier, actually having less will. It's counterintuitive, but it works. Shun mindless consumerism, pay off your debts, diversify your income streams, and spend more time doing what you love. Spend more time with family and friends.
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