Wealth is correlated with greed, dishonesty and cheating -- are these effects or a causes?

[karl_jones]

@Tim_Carpenter

The wealthy are just like any other obsessive collectors of rare objects, like stamps or Star Wars action figures. They will go to similarity great lengths to expand their collections, forgoing more practical considerations in the process. The only problem is that money in itself is not that unique, so quantity alone becomes what distinguishes one’s collection.

Todd Snider comments on money in his song Easy Money:

At least a junkie knows what he needs
You get a man all strung out on green
He’ll give up everything he’s got
For just a one shot at havin’ it all.