Yesterday’s NY Times included a provocative op-ed wherein a former Wall St trader describes his “addiction” to wealth.  There’s lots to like and loathe so whatever side of the argument you’re on you’re sure to find something that supports your opinion.

What I found glaringly missing from the article are several important points:

The so-called addiction to wealth shouldn’t paint wealth as a bad thing.  Ask a daily runner what happens when weather or a busy schedule prevents him/her from hitting the pavement.

Why is seemingly everything an addiction?  When one knowingly chooses to engage in self-destructive behavior how is it an addiction?

Possibly most important of all is the lack of mention of a moral compass.  Wealth, capitalism, etc are tools.  How one chooses to obtain and use them is what’s important.  For comparison think of a hammer.  It’s neutral.  Use it to build a home and it’s a positive tool.  Use it to bash in your neighbor’s skull and it’s a tool of destruction.

While the author is to be applauded for sharing his opinion the desire to confess and unburden himself is self-serving.  His unwillingness to apply a sense of morality to his work shouldn’t paint anyone with a profit motive (and that includes all of us living in our capitalist society) as addicted.  Shame on him for polluting the minds of those unwilling to think for themselves.