Wealth Against Commonwealth

1. What is the author arguing?
-Henry Demarest Lloyd believes wealth is ruining the human race. He believes that civilization is now built purely on competition. It upsets him that now the richer people think they rule everything and when people get money they spend them on yachts instead of helping the slums of the community. In his eyes people have become selfish and could care less about the well being of things outside of their lives. It also bothers him that people are now making their agents do all the work instead of earning their own anymore. Owners of companies were cutting jobs so they could get more money which in return ended up screwing over the people who were still working to keep their own. Lloyd wishes it went back to where everyone was equal and did not have to rely on selfish people for their livings.

2.How does the author appeal to logos (logic), pathos (emotional quality), and ethos (the writer’s perceived character) with their argument?
- Lloyd appeals to logic by giving the possbile outcomes of this situation and all the background information of it. Like how he compaired the rich people to pharos. He appeals to pathos by comparing the reaction time of this to the reaction time of slavery. If I was someone back then and heard this comparasin I would automatically start thinking about the situation and wonder if it could get as bad. LLoyd appeals to ethos by blantly stating his case. He does not beat aroung the bush and make you picture what he is thinking. He does not let the reader open up the perceptions to their imaginations. He wants everyone to see it exactly how he is picturing it.

3.What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?
- This documents shows the time period when people started thinking purely of themselves. People can not go around stating that these newer generations are selfish because now there is documented proof that this started a while back. This is the transition between before then and now. Yes, we are still transforming, but this shows when the flop was and to what extent it was moving.

4.Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why or why not?
- I personally could go both ways with this. I do agree that people are pretty selfish, but it also should not be put on the richer peoples shoulders to take care of everyone else. If you are successful you should be able to enjoy it instead of having to share with the people who still haven't made anythin gof themselves. Granted, people have gotten to the point where they are so selfish that it is slightly ridiculous. LLoyd makes great points, but he also leaves holes for people to find loop holes.