Similarities? They are opposite poles in society’s standards. There are more differences than likenesses between the two. But that is why I’d like to focus on how they are alike.
In a democratic setting, the Haves and the Have-nots are supposed to be equal. They have the same rights before the law; that is, if the law is not blindfolded. It is often said that the rich and the poor have equal opportunities in life. That is quite doubtful, especially in a place where the Almighty Dollar reigns.
There is one similarity that no one should doubt about; both the Haves and the Have-nots have a right and opportunity to dream, to set high goals, and to work towards accomplishments of those goals.
There will be barriers in the accomplishments of those goals both for the Haves as well as the Have-nots.
For the Haves, their privileges and wealth may be the primary blocks on which they may stumble. A life of luxury often leads to excesses and abuse. Just look at some of the scions of wealthy families who from childhood have taken all their wishes for granted to be achieved. These are the young people who grow up with very busy parents whose time is dedicated in making themselves richer and entrust their offsprings to caregivers and to other things that money can buy. These are the children who find themselves as princes and princesses in their homes whose every wish is a command. These are the young people who do not worry about tomorrow, That is something left for those they control to worry about,. At a very early age, they see how adults revel on wine, women and song (and drugs, too). They often forego one of their most important rights in this world: to plan and pursue their goals for a future.
But of course there are those who use those stumbling blocks of wealth and power as stepping stones to ensure their own future. They follow the footsteps of their own parents and engage in pursuits that will bring them wealth.
There are still those who use their privileges and opportunities to assist the have nots. Their goals in life go beyond their own selves. They develop a conscience that feels the needs of those around them and come to help the unfortunate creatures of this world.
Similarly, the children of the have-nots have the opportunity to rise from poverty and have comfortable lives. How many of our celebrities now were once very poor? How many of them were immigrants who worked long hours to earn enough for their families and send their children to school? We have heard of single mothers who raised children that became scientists, singers, entrepreneurs and leaders of the nation.
There is one very important similarity between the Haves and the Have-nots – no matter what your economic stature in society is, all parents have the important role of nurturing their children to look after their future by instilling in them the values of hard work, honesty, perseverance, respect for the rights of others compassion and human dignity.
Human needs are the same no matter whether we are a Have or Have-not. The quality of those needs differ according to our access to the opportunities around us. That ability to gain access is what makes the great difference between the Haves and Have-nots. To some, the Haves, very little or no effort is necessary to access those opportunities. The have-nots require courage and hard work and at times, luck, to rise from poverty and be at par with the Haves.
Natural gifts and misfortunes are equally distributed among the Haves and the Have-nots. There are very intelligent individuals as well as the mentally challenged in both groups; there are the physically able and good-looking as well as those disabled in rich families as well as in the poor ones. The wealthy has probably an easier time dealing with lack of natural endowments while the poor has to suffer and be resigned with them.
Still, we have seen deprived people rise from their misfortunes and make a good life for themselves.
Here in North America, we have seen how governmental and non-governmental organizations have helped those who have less in life receive more assistance than the more opulent. There are social benefits for the unemployed and disabled, special transportation for seniors subsidized housing and day care for low income, groups, food banks for the needy, free classes for newcomers who are not English speaking, shelters for abused women and children and many more kinds of assistance for those in need. These, are efforts to achieve the equality of individuals in a democracy.
No matter to which group we belong, the Haves or the Have-nots, we have equal responsibility to maintain that equality. By refraining from excesses and from abuse of power, the Haves, contribute to the assistance for the have-nots. By working hard to rise from poverty and be free from depending on social benefits, the have-nots are truly living up to the goal of equality ****
