You are probably familiar with the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". This is true, and it is good advice to model in your life. Today I want to discuss another version of it: "He who has the gold makes the rules". There is truth to be found there as well.
Perhaps you read my previous post and found it a tad harsh. You need to remember that living in someone else's house while they take care of the bills is a privilege. It is THEIR house, thus they get to make the rules. You can choose not the follow them, but your choice may well lead to your needing to find alternate living quarters. He who has the gold makes the rules.
Another area I think you will see this in ever increasing frequency is employer actions regarding your health. Already many companies are requiring health screens, mandatory preventative health care utilization, and others even prohibit the use of tobacco products on or off the job (the latter is not lawful in all states). You may think: this is my life, and it's none of my employer's business how I live it. I am a huge advocacy of privacy and individual freedom, so I understand. However, if you are on your company's health or disability insurance, it is THEIR business. Your behavior helps determine claims which determine premiums. Thus, he who has the gold makes the rules.
Another area I've seen this arise is weddings. Frequently parents will "give" their kids money to pay for part or all of the ceremony. I put quotes around give for a reason. In a true gift, the recipient decides how to use the money. Often, though, the gift in these cases comes to be viewed by the giver as more of a trade of cash for influence in the wedding decision making. I even know one bride who told the groom "Your input in this (the wedding planning) is directly proportional to what you're paying- NONE!". Great way to start a marriage don't you think? If you are a giver in this situation- examine your motives. And remember- it's not YOUR wedding. If you are a recipient, fully consider possible ramifications of excepting. And remember- it is YOUR wedding.
Moral of today's story: For good or for bad, it is indeed sometimes true that "he who has the gold makes the rules".
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