I’d bet most of us would love to simply have a few million in cash.

Preferably without everyone knowing about it, so we’re not the targets of con artists (as are most lottery winners, sadly)

I suspect Trent’s perspective is influenced by his political ambitions.

Conversely, the influential people you list could have easily and at any time “sold out” — but didn’t, and that’s part of why they’re still so influential.

Perhaps it is more correct to state that people with skills and money have an easier time succeeding in this world. This is of course only true if you subscribe to the world at large’s idea of success, which seems to revolve largely around the idea that one can be remembered after one is dead.

If instead one defines success as enjoying life, then perhaps it become a bit easier to obtain. Instead of focusing on power and money (ie. how you can ever increase your influence on the world around you), why not focus on the world that you are presented with directly? What I am really trying to say is that perhaps it is more useful to concentrate on living a life in which *you* can be happy with, rather than looking for exterior signs of approval (ie. money and power). But perhaps I am wrong.

Security in the sense of “I know I have shelter, food, and will not likely be attacked”.

Freedom in the sense that I can choose what and when and where.

Fun in the sense that I don’t have to worry about my dependents or myself and am free to explore my interests.

For one thing, making huge generalizations about why “people” do things overlooks the variety of us out there. Personally, I have absolutely zero desire for power and influence. I want money because to me it represents security and independence. Maybe it’s a female vs male thing, and probably it’s even more complicated than that, but it’s certainly not correct to apply that “power” motivation to all or even most people.

And for the folks put up as examples of money leading to power…I’m not sure, but I think some are confusing celebrity with influence. Sure, Paris Hilton can command her paid lackeys, and she can set up a clothing line or a signature fragrance if she feels like it, but is that really power? Mark Cuban may influence a sports team…but so what?

Real power and influence are when you can make a substantial and lasting mark on the world – and like Kevin said, people like Mother Teresa show that power and money don’t always go hand in hand…which is probably why Trent wrote that they “often” do, not always.

i agree with what lenore said about attitude.

i see that imelda has a valid point too, people do judge books by their covers. i’ve often seen that people judge me on my looks first(frumpy middleclass sahm look on most days) , then treat me like who they assume me to be. the moment i speak, they do a doubletake and treat me with more respect..i have to say clothes and attitude do affect the respect and influence of the general public. if you look poor, expect to be treated so.

yes, in my mind, being rich is “having enough money so that i can take my life decisions without regard to money.”

i do not confuse Rich and Super-rich.

Seems to tie in to Malcolm Gladwell’s assertion in Outliers that 10,000 hours of dedicated effort is required to achieve success in an area.

Yes, you nailed it. Most people want to be rich because they don’t want money, or the lack thereof, to be a factor in their life decisions. That kind of freedom is priceless.