My whole life I was told hard work is well rewarded. Now that I'm older I've realized a hard truth. That is bullshit. Dishonesty, power, wealth and manipulation receive a higher reward. Take an associate of mine for example. He invented and produced a GPS device that stops expensive equipment from leaving job sites. He worked hard on this project. A large corporation offered to purchase this for 20 million. He was elated and signed the documents. The deal paid 5 million up front the rest over the next two years. He got the first payment!!! Could you imagine your life problems over, you go spend that first 5 or invest it knowing that you have another 15 coming? When the next installment was due to come, the check never came. He called to see what was going on and was advised that they would not pay it. Not because the product didn't sell or because he broke the contract. No, it was because of one simple fact. It was cheaper to bury him in court than to pay him. His attorney agreed and said that it would be pointless to fight this battle.
Need more examples: Fastfood, Big Box Stores, and any large corporation. The people that work at these places work hard and the wealthy keep getting wealthier from their work. We are based on an economy that does not reward hard work. We are in a society that rewards exploitation of others hard work. Look no further than wage increases of the average worker and CEOs over the last decade for your proof.
Even when you are looking for work. You are rewarded for your ability to lie and get away with it. Most lie on their resumes and get the job because of it. You are actually hurt for not lying. I know someone that was looking for a job as a teenager and asked if he had ever thought about taking money from a register. If you are honest you would say yes to this question. He was flagged as unhirable because of this questions. Who doesn't think about it? Come on, you really should be flagged as dishonest for answering no to this question.
What does this mean and what should you do? Join the dishonesty of the rest? Lie, cheat and steal your way to the top? This is not the way I plan to live. I try to be honest and use integrity in all my dealings. I would rather be homeless than dishonest. This is a truth I accept, but sadly I don't know what can be done about it. I believe this will change with time naturally, but for now, we are stuck in this poorly designed world. This truth upsets me. I wish there was something to be done and if you have a suggestion I'm interested in hearing it in the comments below.