Karma doesn't have to be a bitch. Put her on your side!
Our culture encourages us to believe that others can and should define our value -- starting with the feeding frenzy for "good grades" and leading up to "The job pays $XXX" as you are shown to your cubicle.
But we also realize that the 'heavy hitters" -- the various CEOs, entertainers, sports figures, and others who command the jaw-dropping paychecks, don't play by these rules.