In this excerpt from Money and Class in America, Lewis Lapham paints a bleak picture of America. According to him, the United States, more than any other country, equates happiness, success and self-esteem with money. Of course, America has always been a capitalist society and the importance it places on money and material goods cannot be denied. However, while many of Lapham's observations are valid up to a point, he often goes too far, refusing to acknowledge the numerous exceptions to his claims. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay At the beginning of the passage, Lapham argues that the faith Americans place in the almighty dollar “easily surpasses” that of other societies over time. However, history reveals that man, regardless of his country or culture, has always had an abiding faith in money and the tangible goods it can purchase. French King Louis and Queen Marie Antoinette epitomized luxury, decorating their palace at Versailles with gold and jewels and hosting elaborate ceremonies. Well, they spent their fortune, the masses were too poor to even buy bread. The king and queen were more concerned with their own success than that of the people. Their money blinded them to the fact that their own country was about to rebel against them. Later, when the Spanish discovered the Americas, they traded with the indigenous populations. They gave the natives things like buttons in exchange for knives, showing that they were not averse to using deception to gain material wealth. The Spanish faith in money was stronger than their moral standards. Lapham goes on to explain that Americans are wary of “anything that cannot be counted, stuffed, framed, or mounted over the mantelpiece.” In other words, they focus exclusively on man's "visible signs of wealth" and place little value on his intangible qualities such as honor, intellect, or culture. This is simply not the case. Professional athletes are among the highest-paid Americans, but they are not revered for the size of their salaries. People appreciate the talent and entertainment they provide. Even though they are paid millions of dollars, this is not their only contribution to society. Conversely, even the poorest people continue to value things like family over money. For example, a dog may be another mouth to feed, but many poor or homeless people still own one. For some, the companionship a pet provides is far more valuable than the extra money. Despite the intangible benefits, people will continue to make financial sacrifices. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Finally, Lapham states that in America “a rich man is perceived as necessarily good and wise.” In reality, however, Americans regularly question the ethics and intelligence of some of the country's wealthiest individuals. Many people supported President-elect Donald Trump, believing that being able to run a business qualifies you to be able to govern a country. Despite his wealth, the new president has been criticized for not releasing his tax returns and issuing a questionable executive order. Disenchanted by his sexist remarks, men and women around the world have questioned his moral alignment. Even public figures like JK Rowling have spoken out against him. Trump is.