"Rank up and do something about it"

I remember playing and no matter what social/political environment there was at the time(within the game) that statement was valid. The game always felt like there was opportunity for an individual to make a change. I haven't been playing for long [currently] and between the number of credits and hustle points won on chat it seems unlikely that this is true anymore. 

I accept that it is still technically true, the worst kind of truth in my opinion. It seems like given how optimized and maximized the game has become your only way to be on top(or to compete for being on top), is to spend more time in the game(arguably on chat). 

I think one could argue that this makes sense, though I've never felt like the essence of the game was "who has more time". I've always wanted the game to be, while I understand it can't be this simple, "Who is better". The idea of better being extremely vague and loosely based on wit, determination, social manipulation, communication, and cunning(This isn't a comprehensive list...just what came to mind...the idea is significantly more complex but in general, whatever it is that makes a mafioso). The best Mafioso would always win out. 

The game is at an all time low. To compete on an even playing field you must dedicate a tremendous amount of time to the chat, significantly more than I feel is appropriate. The financial loss of not participating is just too immense. 

I'm not super active, as I'm sure you will assume, but I'm interested to hear others thoughts. I'll do my best to reply because I know there are people who are going to tear this post apart and I look forward to that. Cheers. 

Get a couple buddies and go on a run.

It's not fun if you're alone.

That is the spirit Tommy-Capello! 

My conversation is more geared towards what that means. I'm saying that the things you must to in order to be successful do not line up with what I believe a mafioso is. 

A lot of Mobsters made alliances with people that they might have not liked. Done things they probably didn't want to do in order to get to where they wanted. Maybe they allied themselves with a faction within their family to make a power play. Other times they had to deal with people they didn't like to make money like when they invested in stuff together like Casinos.