Cheap Rich Bastards

I have a problem with cheap rich bastards (CRBs). I understand why poor people are tight with their money. It's the cheap rich bastards who piss me off. These are people who like to flaunt their money – big houses, fancy cars, nice vacations – but complain about the cost when they pay working-class people to serve their meals, fix their houses, or landscape their yards. Some members of the privileged class seem to think they are entitled to low-cost services from others to help them maintain their lavish lifestyles. I have nothing but contempt for their self-indulgence. I would rather volunteer my time to someone in need than work for cheap rich bastards.

I believe that people should be able to earn a living wage regardless of the type of work they do. If you can't afford to pay someone a decent wage, do the job yourself. It's really that simple. Taking advantage of people who are less fortunate is not acceptable. When a person's income exceeds his or her basic needs, it's time to share some of the wealth. Fortunately, many rich people embrace this concept. They pay their employees well, give to charities, and show compassion to those around them. They know the value of giving an unsolicited bonus to someone who works hard and does a good job. It makes people feel respected and motivates them to do good work.

It's difficult for me to understand the mindless greed of some members of the privileged class. Take Martha Stewart, for example. She had amassed a fortune beyond my wildest dreams but was willing to commit fraud to get her hands on another $40,000. How much money does one person need? Where is the compassion for others? It's beyond comprehension.

Refusing to cater to the expectations of the privileged class is not the only reason to charge more for your services. How much you charge also relates to perceived value. Simply stated, people tend to devalue or take for granted goods and services that are provided at low cost. For example, if I don't charge enough for my services as a contractor people think of me as a “handyman” and my skills are not appreciated. When I charge more, my clients brag about it to their friends – “My contractor is the best! I paid him $60,000 to remodel my kitchen.” I want to help my clients appreciate my work and give them something to brag about. The bottom line is that I should receive a master craftsman's wage as compensation for the twenty years I have spent learning my trade and the beautiful work I do for my clients. And charging a little more for my labor is not as self-serving as it seems because it means that I can focus on one job at a time and give my clients great service. It's a win-win situation for everyone.

The purpose of this article is to encourage people in the working trades to hold the line. Cheap rich bastards are beating people down during this recession. Don't accept substandard wages for your work. Whether you're involved in agriculture, mining, construction, forestry, manufacturing, or the hospitality industry you are providing an important service that should allow you to support your family without selling your nights and weekends to make ends meet.

Just Say No to Cheap Rich Bastards!

Footnote. Stained Apron is a great website for those of you who like stories about celebrities. In their blog, Celebrity Tippers: The Saints and the Scum, they state, “The true test of inner peace and civility is in how generous one tips. All servers know that. Please tell us what you have seen and experienced, so that we may reward the gentle-hearted and expose the bastards.” It's a fun read.

LINK TO STAINED APRON WEBSITE