I don't hate you. I don't know you. I even agree with you. When you called yourself stupid, and I'm looking at a post that demonstrates a disregard or lack of knowledge on something as simple as punctuation or capitalizing the first letter of a sentence, I was pointing out that you're not helping yourself.
Haves and have-nots in metal detecting? I bought a new F75 a year ago, and believe me, I struggled with spending that kind of money on a toy. Not sorry I did, and I am looking forward to many more outings. Some of our fellow TNetters HAVE the higher tier machines, and after reading their posts, if I HAD the money, I would try them out. I don't know how they got to the point where they can lay out thousands for an armory filled with all the best. I hope they came by their play money honestly, ethically, and morally. No ill will towards them.
I can tell you that HAVE NOT is relative. As Charlie pointed out, compared to Congo residents, the poorest in this country HAVE.
The culture in this state is third world in it's acceptance of corruption and nepotism, a web of deceit, lies, and money, connecting CEO's of global corporations to the HAVE NOT population through the offer of "Good" jobs, that fall far short regarding wages. Enabling this "Glorious" economic boom are all of the community leaders with their hands out, looking the other way or actively participating in the game of becoming a HAVE MORE.
All you need to succeed in corporate America, is learn the catch phrases, and live at work, believing ( that's key ) there is nothing more important than the corporation. Not family, not friends, not recreation ( unless it's the company picnic ), Church is OK if you go to the RIGHT church, but stop by after and check the numbers. Finding out you're working for the Mob raises an ethical decision. Try to quit, or stay there? Quitting can be a challenge, and they don't tell everyone they hire who they really are.
So Nomad, I don't hate you at all. I, too ask myself out loud who all these people are who own all of the beach front homes, and what do they do that is worth that kind of income?