An Open Letter to Robert Kiyosaki
by johnbechtel on December 23, 2009
in Altruism, Business Opportunity, Capitalism, Economics, Financial Help, Greenville Cashflow Club, Philosophy, Politics, Power of Belief, Rugged individualism, Self Empowerment, Wealth, money
In case you don’t know, Robert Kiyosaki is the author of the Rich Dad series of books on financial literacy, and he and his beautiful wife Kim are the creators of the board game called Cash Flow, a marvelous financial learning tool for young and old alike. I am a fan of Robert Kiyosaki. I met him and his wife in a bar in Pittsburgh, PA. They are very genuine, down-to-earth, and friendly people. They are for-profit educators, and they clearly have a passion for their subject. And yes, I really believe Robert’s story about his rich dad and his poor dad. I don’t think Rich Dad is a figment of Kiyosaki’s imagination. So I am a believer. I don’t make statements like that very often. I have something to say to Mr. Kiyosaki, a disagreement I want to air with him.
Dear Mr. Kiyosaki:
If you are reading this, you already know we are kindred spirits and I admire what you do and share your commitment to financial education. In a recent article you wrote that some of your best financial advice is to not be average. That comment was the source of considerable outrage on the part of your readers, judging by their comments. Perhaps they wanted your message gift-wrapped in softer language, but I couldn’t agree with you more.
Very few people truly comprehend the mind-numbing reach and power of their government, and its insatiable appetite for their earnings and its religious zeal to dumb them down and control their lives. Therefore they do not understand how much the odds are stacked against them in their endeavor to break free from the rat race. They do not understand that to be average is to have no chance.
MICHAEL JACKSON, MONEY, AND ME
by johnbechtel on July 2, 2009
in Financial Help, Financial Independence, Michael Jackson, Self Empowerment, Wealth
(That’s not incorrect grammar in the title of this article; it’s literary license!)
Michael Jackson and his siblings grew up as Jehovah’s Witnesses, at least sort of. So did I. So I started comparing my life with his. We started at the same place, and ended up in very different places. Who did better? I decided to keep score:
Tough, authoritarian parenting was the norm. Michael, one; John, one.
Michael grew up on music; I grew up without music. My father was protecting me from people like Michael. No telling what I might do under their influence: grow my hair longer?? Michael, 1000; John, zero.
