To all who care to listen, greetings...

We're here, on this little street corner, to discuss some of the philosophy of why we are here and why we do what we do.

There are a lot of areas here to discuss, and perhaps over time we will discuss more. But the one I want to talk about is: What makes one want to join organized crime? After all, it is, in fact, crime.

Is the nature of the thing, in fact, the appeal? Do people simply want to do crime? Maybe and I'd even concede that this IS the correct answer for some people in this society. There are undoubtably some people here who simply want to partake in illegal activities. But I reject this as a primary answer.

I'll instead, propose that people who simply want to do crime do not tend to rise to high ranks. It happens from time to time, perhaps more due to luck than skill. Those who are higher up tend to be part of another class entirely. A class which are interested in stability and rules to bind our community together. So what is their motivation?

The answer to this may be simpler than one thinks: Community

The thing which draws the great mafiosos to this life, is the desire to be part of something greater than themselves. We call it family. For those who are the core of our families, the desire for friendship and loyalty is unquestioned.

It is for this loyalty and comradarie that we are willing to risk our lives.

This desire, is the first principle of the way of the Mafioso...

Fever hears someone talking and goes over to listen.

What the fu...what's your point?

The point is, which I can't see why you didn't get... is what made you join pursue a life of crime? Why did you not follow a legit career and decide to rob a few post offices?

Myself personally, I like to live dangerously. I like to live a life where I always have to look over my shoulder to make sure i'm not being followed. To bust my comrades in crime out of the jails so they too can carry on living our life.

I like to earn a lot of money, work my way up to the top in a career that at any second could see you shot for stepping on the wrong toes or doing the wrong thing. I guess it is also for the community. As you said already, Beowulf. That is just a simple answer.

Get it now, Mr_Fever?

The point of Philosophy, Mr Fever, is to help you ask the right questions. However, the right question is not what other people think. The right question is the one we ask ourselves to think for ourselves. Why do you believe in La Cosa Nostra? Why did you join a family instead of becoming some rogue bank robber?

Although everyone has their own motivations, I doubt that the majority are in it for the camaraderie. If they want that, they can join a local civic organization or sewing circle.  Personally, I am in it because I want to do what I want, when I want. I don't want to be bound by the rules of society. That is the real criminal mentality.

And if you are going to follow the criminal mentality, you might as well do it right. This thing of ours has proven over hundreds of years that we can operate efficiently and profitably while staying beyond the reach of the long arm of the law. For someone who wants to live this way, the mafia is the most intelligent choice. Petty crooks and free agents don't stay out of prison very long.

Greetings Don Butt_Ox,

Thank you for your response, I enjoy hearing other people's reflections on such topics. The question I would pose is this:

You want to do what you want, when you want and yet you joined La Cosa Nostra where others have influence over what you do and when you do it. You yourself are the second to the Honorable Godfather Thomasrourke (PBUH), one of the highest positions that a member of our organizations could hope to achieve. Even so, you still have restrictions on what you can and cannot do.

I accept your point that the Mafia is a far safer route than being a rogue criminal in our society, but with that said, it seems that what you want is to live, and you want this more than complete freedom to do what you want. I find this commendable since many have little respect for life.

What are your thoughts on this?

And thank you for your response, it's an honor to have a man of such reputation among my humble philosophical group,

In my opinion *not meaning to offend anyone in any mannner* we *for me* join these organized crime organizations out of envy of the opportunities for money and power achieved by other players that open our eyes to it.

Sincerely, The Undead Soldier-Alroblade

I started doing it for the money and I stayed due to the tight bonds and the oath I took to defend my family. This is the right life for me.

I want to do what I want, when I want. I don't want to be bound by the rules of society

Probably what Don Ox what really meant is mafia should be nasty, bad or doing any other unpleasant action, because we are a criminal community so we should act like criminal and by doing some petty or felony crime is not enough to makes us a Criminal.

Please forgive me for my bad English.

I am here because,despite it being of a criminal/mafia nature i and 90% of the peolpe here have the imagination to make this little thing of ours work,down to making speeches in the streets to running crews to making rules running competitons etc.

Also when selecting who i want to be i can be that person no matter who or what my father was, i can determine my own destiny i can be who i want to be when i want to be.

What i can also tell you is that i am not here because i want to be a criminal in the real world.

CrazyNine,

You got me thinking -- is there a dual point to consider? Is there a reason to join and a reason to stay? This is very possible and would fit what you describe. It might also harmonize what Butt_Ox stated before you. If someone joins the mafia for a reason such as yours (For the money) or Butt_Ox's (To do what he wants), is it then the families that convince them to stay? It's quite true that many come to the families looking for lots of things which they may or may not provide, and many are unable to adjust to the proper life of being a true mafioso.

Thus many are called to the life, but few are chosen to prosper in it -- these are the ones who accept its values

Of course everyone is subject to the power of others. Even the most powerful are subject to certain standards that they dare not betray at the risk of dishonoring themselves. That being said, the more power you gain, the more freedom you have. It is this pursuit of power that is one motivation for getting involved in this thing of ours.

Also, to clarify my earlier point, "to do what I want when I want", I followed that up with "...not being bound by the rules of society". Although there are other "rules" and orders I may be subject to, it is not the stringent rules of society. There is a difference. In society, if someone pisses me off, I have to grit my teeth and walk away. In this lifestyle, I can either outright kill them, or conspire to have them killed. In society, if I am in need of cash, I have to work more hours at a shit job. In this lifestyle, I can walk down to the local convenience store and stick a gun in the clerk's face.

So, while I do have a Boss, I also have much more freedom to act as I wish than if I were some straight-arrow schmuck. And the more power we gain, the more freedom we have to live in any way we want to live.

Don Butt_Ox,

And what is your view of the above comments about how people join for one reason, but stay for another? Has this been your experience in the families?