“The pleasures of the mighty are obtained by the tears of the poor.”

Right! Amen! Absolutely correct! Some rich and powerful people acquired their wealth by abusing weaker people. We agree that it is a great evil when fortunes are made through exploitation and oppression. As we pat each other on the back for our exceptional social consciousness, take a gander at this quote:

“The tears of the poor are often self-inflicted.”

Whoa! Stop! That’s victim blaming, you heartless, unloving, jerk! John, “The Poor” don’t need you judging them on top of all their other problems!

Yeah, I figured you’d say something like that. The rest of this article is flagrant judgment of “The Poor” so if you’re already hyper-ventilating from the second quote, I suggest you stop reading now. Just re-read the first quote until your breathing returns to normal.

Recently, Elon Musk got 36 billion dollars richer overnight bringing his net worth to something around 289 billion dollars (give or take 15 bucks). I like to think of Elon Musk as “The Rich” because then I get to think of myself as “The Poor.” I’m not responsible for my shabby life. Elon is the reason for all my anguished tears.

My status as “Poor” protects me from self-examination. It insulates me from honesty. You helpfully provide me with memes affirming my delusion. Even though I’m dishonest, selfish, addicted to drugs, reckless with money, arrogant, and lazy; It’s not my fault that I’m “Poor.” You are telling me my tears would dry up if only Elon Musk wasn’t so rich.

Fortunately, I know better.

The poor are exploited every day. However, I am not one of them. I do not work in a sweatshop. I am not chained to a machine. I am not oppressed by “The Mighty.” Elon Musk’s riches did not come from my suffering. That truth has set me free.

I don’t really think of myself as “Poor.” I just said that to make fun of that stupid meme. I’ve got too many blessings to qualify as poverty stricken. One of my greatest blessings is the ability to be grateful for what I have even though some other people have more. Gratitude is something that anyone can afford because it’s free. You can acquire it today. There’s no waiting for shipping.

Or, keep believing yourself to be a victim and spend another day in bitter anguish. That’s how “The Poor” live.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

(Exodus 20:17)