Narxy, you crack me up substantially. lol
You state something that I found overwhelmingly funny... that a poor man values one dollar more than a rich man... How much more wrong could you be? Have you really been living under a rock (or textbook for that matter) all of your life?
Do you think the rich stay rich because they DONT value money more than the poor? or do the poor value money so much they spend it on non-essential things like drugs, alcohol and self-gratification? That goes for the middle class too -> the stuggling aussie family, ie the good old "battler".
Pfft.
Regardless, back to your question. Its simple, and has been simplified by chris's barbaric answer a while back.
Basic human drive is to do what feels good. Self preservation, survival, replication, pleasure.
What is the dream almost everyone in this society is raised to believe?
- Goto school, get a job, get a wife, buy a house, raise a family and work till you die.
Perhaps not in that particular order, but you get the jist. The jist is everyone in this country believes they DESERVE to have everything they dream of, regardless of their education, wealth, position in society and usefullness to their community.
So these people go out, with little to no education, work for a few years.... earn enough to take out a home loan... a wife and two children... a car or two... holiday every year up the coast. Why? Beause they earned it with hard work... dedication etc.
What makes you think, that these people... who are hopelessly dependent on the system that supports them... where the cost of fuel is enough to strangle their tight budgets - 4c a litre makes the difference between making the car payment... what makes you think that something like "climate change" is going to make them change the way they have been raised their whole life?
Waste not - want not?
First it was global warming - but its not getting hotter anymore... now lets call it climate change (cause we dont know what it actually is going to do) - now its global economic instability - carbon emmissions trading - selling "points" that are traded on the stock market - regulated by a fanstical and mystical "independant" body.
What the fuck am I ranting on about??
NOTHING.
Because no-one gives a fuck... because no matter what we do... what we say... who we blame.... NOTHING will change what happens.
What do you think you can tell Joe Bloggs? Stop modifying your car? Buy a Toyota Prius? Its cheaper to run, save the environment.
He'll look at you and say -
"Im a Holden Man"
I modify my car because I can. I enjoy learning and the challenge of trying new things.
Joe Bloggs does it for his own reasons. Show his mate what he has. Take his car to meets, discuss with buddies over a few beers how many seconds the 1/4 it does. What Jimmy from Robs Welding Supplies has in his garage... shes a real beauty too.
These people don't care because it doesnt affect them. Hell, even their families.... when they turn 18, out the door. Isnt that the saying?
/end rant