*BbyCakes walks up to the streets and stands on a soap box and clears her throat and begins to speak*

What exactly qualify's one as ready?

This may be a bit of a shock but i personally would just like to know.There are many people in this world of ours some loyal, respected, trustworthy, and others are just here for their own personal pleasures. Be that as it may I'm not here to judge why anyone's here. I just want to know why is it that in some cases that people just as worthy who may not have a strong family line, and have proven as best they could what they are worth still dont get as much respect as people who have stronger family lines?

How do we exactly qualify one and say one is worthy to get a button and one isn't? I know it's not up to one personally to say ive done this and im ready. Then again it's not right for others to do the same thing and get it quicker just becuse their bloodline is known.

*Straightens out my dress and places my hair back*

Is this really considered right or fair? That for ones ancestors work that their kin does not need to work for it just as hard as before, or as others?

*Stands up Straight*

I come before everyone in the streets to really ask this question and hear others input on the matter.

Does one's history Qualify you to do things that others don't? Or is it that everyone has to work equally to actually say they are worthy of it?

*Steps down and walks away*

An honest answer, you are right about the strong blood line and how it helps people through their way in this world, but we can't forget that when this people started they had no blood lines at all.

personally I don't believe there is difference between those who have strong blood lines and those who don't, the thing that makes a difference is being able to achieve more and prove yourself honest and loyal to your family.

you can take me as an example if you want, I didn't have a strong blood line till now and I made very far, that some of those who has strong blood lines haven't made yet.

Silvio then lights a cigarette and waits for other opinions

People with strong bloodlines are given advantages that others are not. That is just the way it is. Whether or not it SHOULD be that way is another question. Aristocracy exists in every society and subculture. Some people are simply born with advantages that others do not have. Although, it is not entirely unfair - at some point in each person's bloodline, SOMEONE, more likely several generations, have had to prove their worth.

The bottom line, where respect is concerned, comes down to being active in the streets. You might be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but nobody will ever know it if you never open your mouth. It's also the way to see who is best cut out to be a Boss. Being vocal demonstrates knowledge of Cosa Nostra, diplomacy, backbone, and every other quality that is needed to move up the ladder and to earn respect. If you don't have street presence, your lineage will dwell in perpetual obscurity.

Those with strong bloodlines usually have greater experience, old allies and friends who wish them to regain their former stature, and know how to maintain either a strong street presence that earns respect for their family, or no presence at all <i.e. hitmen>.

In short they know who needs to know them to progress, and how to go about it.

Yeah that's usually how i see it happen.

But if you get strong help in the start then you can do it.

But even then it comes down to the bosses and the boss's are the ones at the end that push the button.

So regardless on how it really is we cant do anything and just wait for things to play as they play.

to add to it.

I say it like that because at the end there are always gona be favorites in a family that they have to do much less to get what everyone else has to work for.

I personaly think it's wrong and it shouldn't be accepted as just because their family did something they should be giving a go ahead pass as this is them and this is a new time.

*Shrugs*

I mean in all fairness it shouldn't matter of the ancestors.

If i said i was son of aberham lincoln should i say  we all know what he did and there was a person  who is son of a average joe but is doing more then him.

Should the famous son be reward be for the person who really worked for it?

In my opinion I get to know each one of my crew very well in order to push their button. I have to feel a sense of Maturity, Knowledge, Honor, Trustworthiness.

Blood Lines don't make me feel like I must Make a person. I have to feel I trust the person to conduct him/her self whenever My RH or I are not available.

The new Sponsor/Associate is a great asset to me. I get to observe how higher Mades watch over and groom lowers that are new to our world. Making my job easier and giving everyone in the crew a sense of bonding.

I completely agree with everyone. I think that, of course if you have a strong blood line, it is easier for you. But I personally would feel more fulfilled if I knew that I earned everything rather than it being given to me. Not downplaying the people who do have strong bloodlines, but for us people who do not, I think at the end of the day you can finally say "I did it, without any shortcuts."

Nice thread by the way....

We all know that getting your button is one of the great accomplishments in the life of a mobster. However I feel that before you can recieve such an honor you must display the following:

Maturity, decisiveness, rational behavior, loyalty, hard work, dedication, and most of all room for improvement.

We can't determine who is ready for their button or not. However I, and the other leaders, can.

Not every person is the same, that is true. Some people earn their buttons more quickly than others, while it takes some people ages to achieve the same rank. It's not a fair life, but it is life, and that's just something that many people have to accept.

I feel that by you coming out here you are feeling a similar struggle that people are getting their buttons whereas someone you care for or know is not. Sadly, it's not up to anyone besides the bolds and slanties of this world when a person is ready for button promotions or not.

In my own city, and I don't feel I am out of line sharing this, none of the soldatos get extra benefits for having old bloodlines versus new bloodlines. None of them. There are no favorites. Everyone has to achieve certain 'mile markers' to attain their Made Man and up ranks. Everything from earnings, to appearances in the headquarters and Streets, to attitude, willingness to work and help, and cooperation all come into effect when I and my Captains decide who is ready for these ranks. When the Captains feel they are ready, they kick the name up to me and then I conduct a personal interview with each and every candidate, and from there decide if they are ready or not depending on how they act and what they say.

Even my own headquarters is subjected to this ranking structure. Sure, people may call me foolish for being stuck in close quarters with nothing but Wise Guys and Rourke, but I want people to feel they've actually earned their promotion and will be applauded for it, not just slide by to become some sort of anonymous drone. The only people who are exempt from this in my town are the Leaders themselves, the Right Hands and Left Hands. They do not have to be subjected to the interviews, as I am already well aware of whom many of them are, and the work they do for their family. But aside from the eighteen leaders, Right Hands and Left Hands in my city, the other one-hundred and seventy-two people currently in my city do.

Of course I can't speak for every city on this matter, but that's how I run my business. So there's your honest answer to your honest question.

To be blunt, it's not up to when the soldato feels ready. It's when the leader feels they are ready. And, this has to be my favorite saying these days: If you have to ask, you're not ready. You'll know when you're ready and won't have to say a peep to your Boss, because they'll be right there with you.