That's another reason I keep my network small and close by. There is no shortage of people willing to defraud others. It seems to only grow in number.
I've made the mistake of allowing that sort of activity to continue and it has tremendous consequences. I have always helped others when I can, but some see that as a way to defraud me - an easy target. Some have learned that I'm not the type to cower away and some others are soon to learn. Do not be a doormat or you will be tread on.
It's hard to define a reasonable recourse for individuals that abuse others - they are likely the same abusing the mechanism in place to protect their victims as well. The court system is dysfunctional as hell and the police serve and protect only those that vest power in them. They never recovered any stolen goods for me, not once. They never kept me from being robbed, not once. So how then do we protect our dignity, professional lives, and personal property if such mechanisms function in a way that is not intended to help us?
I have done so much work that is being used by others to make money, yet I remain without reward for much of those efforts. I've been punished for helping people. And still do it. However, there comes a time where we must bite and bite hard.
Do not take those that betray you lightly. You must match the with great opposition. If there is anything I can do or a way to support you in this - my ears are on.
I tend to believe in karma as the post about loyalty ended with declaring. I just cut those people out of my life and drive forward again.
I like to believe in people and give them the benefit of the doubt, but you're right about that meaning you'll get suckered more.
It's hard to trust people, but the longer you know someone the better likelihood that they are who they say they are. By long though I mean years. I've been fooled by people who wore a mask for six years.
I've been betrayed by my own family after my entire life of 40+ years had past. You just never know, and that's why shared core values are so important.
We know our core values are the same, so being loyal is simple. I have very little to fear from people who will die for the same causes I will die for.
Even then though, people can fake just about anything. I've seen that happen too. They make themselves out to be a consistent liberty loving person, but over time inconsistencies start popping up.
They are like little cracks in a wall. At first you don't notice them. Soon though they become gaping holes. The person has to move on to find other people to sucker.
Karma's a real bitch though, and I believe she gets everyone in the end. :) I take comfort in that belief at least. I hope I'm right. haha