Here are some of the responses I've received to the information on this page. I've left them as is, except for a) removing the names to protect privacy, and b) reformatting them to fit the screen better.

This is a long file...I suggest downloading it to your computer and reading it off-line.

My thanks to everyone who took the time to contribute their opinions.

[NOTE: Some of these messages contain offensive language]

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Remember the tape "How We Got Started" by Tim Foley? By the way it's a DBR-599. At the end of side 2 Tim says this: "...so that  you can help more and more people overcome what they're going through. And that's what you wanna be. You wanna be an encourager, not a boss, an encourager, a servant, a leader, a guider, someone who provides inspiration. And if you're  successful at doing that, if you're successful at giving yourself to other people, if you're successful at forgetting yourself for a little while, you're gonna be able to do whatever you wanna do for the rest of your life.Now, this statement needs some repairs, doesn't it? So here's my version (the original words are kept in lowercase):

"...so that you can TAKE FROM more and more people WHAT THEY WOULDN'T GIVE YOU OTHERWISE. YES,
that's what you CAN be. You CAN be a CHEATER, not a SERIOUS NETWORKER, a CHEATER, an ASSHOLE, a CULT leader, a MARRIAGE BREAKER, someone who STEELS OTHER PEOPLE'S DREAMS. And if you're successful at doing that, if you're successful at SELLING TOOLS to other people, if you're successful at forgetting THE ETHICS OF FREE ENTERPRISE, you're gonna be able to FACE AS MANY LAWSUITS AS YOU HAVE NEVER HAD IN YOUR WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE."
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Hope you enjoyed, Sid. ;-)Toma broke anti-Amway loser

i became amway dist. in1981 what a mistake .now im in SMC this is a company the really take care of people and no hype.keep at the good work

Mr. Swartz could you please leave my email address showing for anyone to get back to me with any comments.

Hi there to anybody that reads this message

I am a 21yo male from Australia who has been a distributor for about 10 months. Currently i am a university student about to finish a degree in business management. I see Amway as an alternative and supplement to a career. The business and marketing plan is logical and being a logical person I saw a lot of sense in it.

First things first, I will have to say this. I am biased towards AMWAY, no i correct myself towards MY small business. After doing a business plan for an actual business (an internet cafe) which would have cost around AUS$80k-100k with the owner only taking home a salary of $25000 a year compared to my Amway business which cost $100 (KIT) plus tools (tapes, books and functions) probably up to $1000+ with a potential income $30000+ is neglegable to the internet cafe business

After reading many of the comments and countless pages of information contained within this web site i have to question many of the negative comments towards AMWAY. Albeit an educated analysis. Topics i would like to cover are -Cults -Brainwashing -Tools -the percentage of people who make it to the top

Cults
From the various descriptions of the make up of a cult and comparing that to AMWAY i find that they are very different. Fair enough there is a certain amount of pressure to conform to certain practices of conducting business, however when compared to other organisations, what is the first thing a new employee or member is groomed to do, alas adopt the organisational culture. This is mainly done through initial training workshops (classes), literature on the organisation (training manual, workplace health and safety procedures and even employee contracts) and social interaction with current employees. Well low and behold for all the average and normal workers out there, breaking news for you, YOU ARE PART OF A CULT, but thats all right your next door neighbour is part of one too.

[This is exactly the kind of dangerously faulty "logic" used by cult groups to confuse potential victims. It's ludicrous, of course, to suggest that there is no difference between an ordinary job and a group like The People's Temple or Heaven's Gate. Obviously, destructive cults do exist and they are far different than the jobs most of us go to, or the military, or college, or a football team, or the Boy Scouts. It's frightening that people can be convinced (or convince themselves) to believe otherwise, but of course this is how cults are able to exist and thrive. No cult is going to admit to being a cult, nor do cult members identify themselves (or think of themselves) as such. I'm sure if you had asked the followers of Jim Jones if they were in a cult, they would have replied "Of course not!" (and then proceeded to kill themselves and their children). Denials of cultism are no proof that a group is or is not a cult, and relying on a possible cult group to tell you the truth about their intent and methods is as stupid as relying on the slick used car salesman to tell you what's wrong with the lemon he's trying desperately to unload on you. There are plenty of good books and web sites written by people with expertise in cultism and mind control; please don't rely on the "expertise" of Amway distributors, most of whom (as far as I can tell) know little or nothing about the subject, and simply repeat whatever ignorant drivel their upline feeds them.]

As for the christian preaching stuff, people have a choice to listen to that stuff, i myself choose not to. In the times that i have been to functions with church services "fellowship" on the sunday i dont go, therefore i dont have to listen to it. It is as simple as that. I am a christian, yet i do not like church. I did go once (the first time i went to a major function) where there was a minister doing the evangelistic born again christian preaching of "send your $100 dollars now and i will forgive you sermon" (dont take that literally, that is just the view i have of evangelists and born again christians), something that i dont like and against compared to the traditional churches. Therefore the point i am trying to make is i was not and still not forced to listen to christian preachings, to those people that are coerced and "supposedly forced" i must say that you have a weak mind, it wouldnt matter if it was christian or ring a ring a rosies, by the sounds of it you would believe and follow anything aynway.

Brainwashing I can understand why people view (although narrow it is) that AMWAY brainwashes people, however what is brainwashing. Are we not as a western society drummed with brainwashing statements everyday of our lives. Most of us know it as Advertising. How much junk is portrayed and spoon fed to us each day on tv, radio and in the print on to buy this product or to buy that product, to support this service or that service. Yet it is an accepted part of living, how meaningless our lives have become. Also as i have found during my university studies, there is a lot of pressure on the young and older people today in getting a job. Through the 4 years of my studies all i keep hearing is when i graduate i want this job or that job. The whole of the degree that i am doing is geared towards that job in that career. There seems to be no initiative to become entrepreneurs or go out alone and achieve something. To me being bombarded with the constant drone of get a job is brainwashing. I think it should be known that there are other ways of having an income than just getting a job. Whether that be AMWAY or any other sort of MLM organisation, or simply owning a small business. Whatever turns you on, getting a job is not the be all and end all to making money. Another point of brainwashing is the fact that most people believe you have to retire at the age 55-65 after working 35-45 years. How much advertising and endorsement from various sources (government, business and society in general) does this have. I have seen my parents do this, with both now having medical problems in their early 60's, therefore not leaving them that much time to enjoy their retirement. Also with my parents generation, from what i have determined is that they worked towards the pension (social security). To me that is not what i want to do (mainly by the time i am their age there wont be a pension). To me working towards government support is a wasted life (i am not saying that my parents have had a wasted life) you work all your life and still you are under the control of a higher authority, to me that is not a retirement. I ask you all out there that isnt logical, work in a job under someone/thing then retire to the control of someone/thing. Albeit the life of a plebian (which in the current scheme of things most of the working population is heading for or is currently undertaking). The rise to mediocraty by individuals with the subsequent fall of society.

Tools As with any business learning tools are essential to the establishment and continuation of any business. How i know, mainly from asking former employers and during my studies.

Tapes: These contain stories and teaching techniques of how to conduct my business, i will admit some tapes i dont relate to and sometimes find boring (namely the american speakers, nothing personal against americans, it is just their accent i cant handle). Other than that i find that a message that i can not get in a function might be more clearly given in a tape (vice versa). However as was written in Business Review Weekly on the 6th April 1998 (reputable business journal/magazine) it stipulates that every business needs to stimualte and motivate their workforce. Many organisations motivate their employees with cash incentives however as studies have showed this only motivates people to a limited extent and tends to lose its appeal after a certain time. (That is why Frederick Taylor's Scientific Management Principles are on the way out and have been for the last 20 years). Associated AMWAY organisations such as IDA and Network21 motivate their workforce through the stories and business building techniques through people who are successful in the business.

Books: The books are for personal development, although i find it hard to find the time to read due to study commitments (which involves a lot of reading) they are quite enlightening. It is interesting to find many authors of the books that are included in the books of the month, I come across in my studies, eg Stephen Covey "Principle Centred Leadership" and Kenneth Blanchard "Gung Ho". I find more than just references to them within my studies, they are very much the new wave of organisational training across the western world in Total Quality Management and teams approach to organisational structure. Therefore, from my analysis, what AMWAY has been doing for the last 27 years in Australia and 40 years in the US is slowly catching on in the Australian and world corporate scene on a large scale in the last 10 years. I think that is something in itself, to say the least AMWAY was and still is a few decades ahead of the rest. The books are not associated with AMWAY, but on new business concepts as well as relationships with people in general sometimes with a focus on partner relationships (eg Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus). Even if i dont get anything out of a book that i paid for, they usually are a good read anyway. I will ask a question here, What was the message or purposeful meaning you got last time you read a fictional novel, romance story or even a newspaper article? (Remember the old adage, "Dont always believe what you read in the paper")

Functions: Okay i was overwhelmed with the excitement and the energy that are associated with an AMWAY function, however the first few times i went to these functions i was like what the hell is "WRONG" with these people, this is supposed to be a business function. But from what i gathered is that these things are fun, what is wrong with having fun. To all the cronies out there that say they brainwash at these functions i think that they take them too seriously, fair enough you listen to the people tell their story, but most importantly (to me at least) they tell techniques and ways they used to build their business, which i find very useful and interesting. Sometimes when i am down from stress due to other areas of my life, after coming away from a function (whether for business or personal reasons) i am usually rejuvinated or perked up without any artifical stimulant. Also if you sat in a university lecture, you wish you were at an AMWAY function.

Percentage of people reaching the top This will only be short. Question: What is the chance that the organisation that you work for (and provided that you havent reached it already or a family member of the owners), that you will become CEO or a member of the board of directors? (you know the people who make policy and you hardly ever see or know who they are) What is the chance of an organisation like MacDonalds for you to go from kitchenhand to CEO in 5 Years (to hell with it 15 years)? I guarantee that there is hardly a chance in hell for you to do that, So my only comment here is WAKE UP to those people that dont believe they can make a 6 figure income in 5 years through their "Franchise" (Distributorship) of the AMWAY organisation.

Well thanks for letting me put my view across, I hope you paste it to your web site and someone reads it. Dont forget please leave my email address displayed so i can get some feedback from those that do read it.

I have really enjoyed "surfing" your web site this morning. I'm currently printing off a great deal the information so that I can read it later. Keep up the good work.

Sydney - THANK YOU FOR HELPING PEOPLE SEE THE LIGHT! After 2 years in the business our friends finally realized that it was just a pipe dream (they approached us about Amway in 1996 but we declined because as financial professionals we are not allowed to pursue other lines). Our friends "showed the plan" to virtually everybody, recruited a bunch of people (at least 20), and reached 2,500 points. BUT, they now realize that ignoring their 2 beautiful kids, giving up their real life ambitions and alienating most of their friends and family was NOT WORTH IT AT ALL (we were probably the only friends that supported them!) Their obsession with being "Diamonds" was like an UNHEALTHY ADDICTION - nothing less. THEY FORGOT THAT THERE IS A WONDERFUL LIFE OUTSIDE OF AMWAY AND THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE LIVE JUST FINE WITHOUT IT, ALTHOUGH AMWAY MAKES YOU BELIEVE OTHERWISE. They confessed that they always secretely doubted the business but didn't have the courage to speak-up because they were afraid to feel like they were stupid. We believe that Amway people skillfully master the "guilt" strategy (sort of like your parents used on you) to make people dependent on them. We are so glad that our friends are "NORMAL" again - we can actually carry on an intelligent conversation without their references to "Interactive Distribution" as the remedy to the world's problems! We now laugh that while they were in Amway, they became very unrelatable to most people, and saw the world as "winners" and "losers" (although their books teach them people skills - what a contradiction!). Incidently, they saw an immediate improvement in their finances after leaving Amway, because they now had the "disposable income" that they preached about but spent on Amway. Most importantly, they now can enjoy life's beauty without sacrificing their souls!

Dear Mr. Schwartz:

Here is anti-Amway stuff I had sent to another site. Perhaps you can post it on yours??????????????

Dear Sir:

I have already sent some (juicy) mail agreeing about what scum are the Amaroids.

I was NEVER involved. I first saw the plan when I was a teenager, and although feeling a bit of adrenaline over the possibility of "instant riches" I saw it as a fine and luxurious automobile lacking an engine. There was nothing to substantiate the claims....

So 20 years later as a homeowner, I have been in the habit of renting out a room to make a few extra nickels. Unfortunately, the last 2 years were to people who got involved in Amway.

Two years later, I finally threw them all out into the street. Thank God! No more little Am-bar wrappers from their $3 Amway Candy Bars. No more Am-juice in the refrigerator (a 25 cent pack of Koolaid sold for $$$). No more "Amway" cardboard boxes stacked into the corners of the house from their products that they ream themselves with. No more pestering me that "although I have a house, I could lose everything, unless....!!!"

Anyway, why is there even a debate? Your web site is about debate, right? Look at the mail, one guy says "it sucks", the other says "young man, you are very young, and what do you know about this fine business that is #24 on the Fortune 500, etc. etc. etc."

Well, I'll tell you why there is a debate.

The Am-piggies are liars!!!!!! They say this crap about "We are the #2 producer of millionaires in the United States, etc. etc." and of course, that causes honest people to become quiet and reconsider whether perhaps they are mistaken.

The problem??? They are a bunch of liars! Some Amaroid actually said in the mail that Amway is #24 on the Fortune 500 list????? That's a show stopper, but get on your search engine and get a list of the top 500 companies, and it just ain't there, folks!!!!!!!

The reason that Amway exists is because they are all a bunch of lying cheating, thieving, scummy, worthless, mentally disturbed FREAKS.

When they start to win the argument by saying "Amway produces the most millionaires", "Amway is in the Fortune 500", don't back down, just call them the liars that they are.

There is nothing boastful or proud about these scuzzy, scuzzy people. In the end what disgusted me most was how they envied me. I have worked 12 years straight and level, in the old job grind, and as a consequence I have a small, poorly maintained home in the 'burbs, two decent automobiles, and a pile of savings in the bank, and some corporate stocks also.

Is that so awesome??? NO! But they were jealous, jealous, jealous and they always failed to conceal their envy. And as Am-piggies, they also saw me, who had SOMETHING (my small suburban home with moss on the roof) as this TARGET. And they could never quit targeting me, until I finally threw them all out, with all their lying cult-culture with them.

YAH! FEELS GREAT! There is no debate to have with these liars.

My favorite "happening" re Amway was when a neighbor asked to come over to discuss "something important" and ended up trying to sell Amway products.

He asked for a glass and propped a Styrofoam cup inside the glass, and then poured Amway drain cleaner in it. He proudly proclaimed the worth of the product as it ate through the Styrofoam cup in a minute or so. He also set up a duplicate demo with Draino, which did nothing to the Styrofoam cup.

I thought about that for a few seconds and then set up my own demo using two funnels, each of which I clogged with Crisco cooking fat.

The Draino cleaned the fat out of the funnel in about 3 minutes, while the Amway drain cleaner did nothing, for the rest of the time it took me to get the neighbor to go home (maybe 30 minutes).

As he left (still convinced that I had done something tricky) I told him that "if I ever get my drains clogged up with Styrofoam I'll be sure to buy his product".

Dear Sirs:

I knew some ambots for 2 years (got rid of them now, threw them out of my life) and of course I got all sharply educated on scAmway through web pages like yours, as part of the experience.

So I know all about it now, but here's what's interesting, about fully 10 years ago, when I knew nothing of scAmway, I was dropping a parcel at the big U.P.S. freight terminal. They have a retail counter, you see.

(and today, it's interesting what a phenomenon is Amway to the U.P.S. folks. The retail counter has quite a clog of Amway parcels from all the 'millionaires' and sometimes the clerk actually asks me "is your parcel for Amway?" That's here in 1998, probably for some sort of discount??? U.P.S. probably doesn't know whether to love 'em or hate 'em)

Anyway, way back around 1989, some guy walked up to me in the parking lot and said "that's a very fine and clever bumper sticker you have on the back of the car". (Being a conservative Republican Christian, I think I had something on the back of the car about 'no Jesus no peace, Know Jesus Know Peace').

I said "oh thanks I don't have any more of those stickers, I can tell you where I got it".

He said "oh no that's OK, by the way, are you off to work right now?"

"yes, yes, I just stopped to drop my parcel, are you a Christian also??"

He said "Yes absolutely I'm with **** evangelical baptist (or some such)" and almost immediately then he said "listen, you are going to work, but think how weary it makes you. Imagine if you could do something separately from your job, that would make you lots of extra money, would that interest you??"

I said "gee, no, it wouldn't because my job takes up all my time. I find that with my extra errands, shopping for groceries, and fixing the car, that there is no time left over after I finish that 40 hours and take care of laundry & stuff".

He said "what if the pay was really good, and it was only, say, about 10 hours extra per week?"

(I am an electrical engineer so I am quite logical, so my answers are very logical also).

I said "no, it wouldn't interest me, because I just said I use up ALL my time with the job I have. I don't have ANY extra hours when the week is over."

He said "but not even if the extra money is really good??"

I said "when I looked for my job, I found the best salary that I could find. That is where I make my money, it is the best money I can hope for, and I want to be of service to my supervisor that hired me."

He went on a few times more "even if the money is good, just 10 hours per week??" and I kept replying with the exact same logical replies that my job was my best deal, and I had NO extra time when I was done with the job (the gospel truth actually, how much time, after errands, is really left? And that's your quality hours, your "relaxation hours", those last few hours, they are not "amway hours".

So I was very polite yet logical, so he went away!!!!! Although, he asked for my phone number incase I changed my mind, and I believe I was so gracious and logical that I gave it to him.

About 6 weeks later, I did receive a call, to which I gave him the exact same logical responses.

I was 23, and the guy looked to be about 33. Looked very professional, and I knew nothing of Amway, nor did he mention it. But here I am 10 years later, and I know ALL ABOUT Amway because of the Ambots I have booted out of my life more recently.

And it sure makes me think back to the time at that U.P.S. parking lot, with that dude, and his persistent queries, and my logical responses.

Now, I can see it all so clearly!!! He never said Amway, but what do you think HE was busy mailing at the U.P.S terminal??? L.O.C. to his "downline" no doubt. And did I always remember that encounter, because it was all so peculiar (like twilight zone) there at the U.P.S. parking lot.

(By the way, leftists should NOT think of Amaroids as representative of the economically conservative anti-socialism anti-immorality people. Amaroids have no brains in their heads or their butts. But political conservatives (and some Christians) are actually quite intelligent. That's why I despise ambots, you see.

By the way, after 10 years of working that lousy job, saving my nickels, clipping coupons, and * drum roll * learning about the corporate stock certificates, I now have a net worth of approximately $280,000. Not bad for age 33. In fact, it doesn't really buy me much. I live in a small cheap house, I invest as best I can, I mow my own grass, and so on.

But it is the fruit of the JOB I had, and it's better than nothing, and it's what that the guy in the parking lot wanted to talk me out of, just so he could ream me on a few tapes and 10 years later if I'd done it his way then I would have nothing.

being an amway distributer myself i am at a loss for words after reading your sick site about what is most likley the only moral,honest and sound business in the world. i have not been "programed, brainwashed or in any way forced to do anything that i did not feel was in my best intrests. the ceo's of the companys involved with amway do not get paid for being fools, and see the direct selling business as the wave ov the future.  i personally am earning money in my business and know many friends who are doing very well. i am 53 years old, college educated, ex army nco, ex policeman.and bodyshop manager. i do not consider myself stupid, naive, or in anyway a cult member. your website is untrue, a total lie, immoral, and at the least should be ignored by any thinking being that is unlucky enough to stumble onto it along with the porn and smut. you sir should be ashamed.

A 'friend' of mine has been cultivating my friendship for the past year. I thought it was because of a mutual interest in music. Now I know differently. The 'friend' might as well have been an insurance salesman. The Amway material I was given was so blatantly manipulative that I am amazed anyone ever falls for it. I found it to be incredibly offensive. Anyway, now I know who the 'loser' is, and it is not myself. Thank you for your wonderful site. It has truly helped me to figure out how to deal with this person, and this situation.

I have a wonderful, beautiful friend who is having financial difficulties and has totally bought the Amway line that she will be rich in a couple of years. Of course she wants me to buy into her belief.What I want to know is this: If I bring downlines into Amway and they buy motivational materials and attend meetings, why shouldn't I get a percentage of the profits? Why should these things be treated any differently than Amway products? If I got those people involved, and am actively working to keep them involved, why should the enormous profits from the motivational materials go 100% to a few highly placed people?

You are doing an enormous public service. Thank you so much for maintaining this web site.

Wow! I'm amazed at the number of responses both pro and anti Amway - and here I am adding to the numbers. I was an Amway distributor from 92-96. During that time, I fluctuated from being very active to inactive - working hard at the biz in spurts of energy and enthusiasm. Well, that is no way to run a business that's for sure, so I realize my efforts weren't consistent and persistent. However, during my time as a Distributor, I always had an uneasy feeling about the whole thing - the seminars, rallies and the like were almost scary in that people would be in awe at all these guest speakers who told their Amway story in order to inspire and enthuse the masses. Looking back at all the tapes, books, seminars and rallies I realize that a very small percentage of the information imparted was of practical use towards building my business. In the end a huge waste of money. I've very recently joined a company that has far superior products to Amway (trust me - I wouldn't get involved with this company until I knew the products were top of the line), and they have an up to date compensation plan. This company promotes tapes and company events as well but the big difference that I have noticed is that there is actual practical business building information. What a difference! The company provides training and requires you to take certain training when reaching certain levels in the business. How practical! It's quite refreshing to have the company working towards setting everyone up for success. A HUGE drawback to Amway is that they have these separate "systems" in place that are run by upper echelon distributors as a money making venture, rather than by the company itself.

I just wanted to tell you how much I like your site. My in-laws are Amway people(although they call it Network 21 or something like that) They have given up pressuring me to join the group...I did go to one meeting with them, just to see for myself what it was all about and I was frankly turned off by the whole thing. I sat and watched this bright attractive vibrant woman get up and get all passionate about a car wax.....if only she would use that energy and passion for some worthier cause. Near as I can see, there are a lot of bright articulate people involved in Amway and the world is missing their contribution. It makes me sad! I immediately saw that it was not for me.....I find my passion in ideas and open mindedness. Fortunately, my in-laws have not pressured me any more....they saw I was not impressed. Thanks for presenting the facts and the rest of the story!!!

Sid,

Glad to see that your site is back in operation! Pretty amazing that your responses section is now up to 55! I remember when it was 3. Anyway...while I was reading through the latest set of responses, I had some thoughts back to a few years ago when I was a loyal, tape-addicted, slogan-spewing, downline Ambot.

You'll like this one...about 4 or 5 years ago, while flipping through the back pages of an issue of the AMAGRAM to check out my Diamond heroes at Peter Island, there was a picture of Dexter Yager himself along with some of the other con-artists. Low and behold, right smack dab in the middle of the picture on a table was a can of PRINGLE'S potato chips!!! Now, Amway doesn't sell Pringle's!!!!! Here I was, buying their MSG loaded (that's right, folks..read your label's!!!) Critic's Choice snack food crap month after month and the damn Diamonds are sitting there eating BRAND-X!!!!! What a crock. Pringle's were my favorite and I had given them up to make it possible for Dex and the gang to live the good life on "Gilligan's Island" eating whatever the hell they wanted while I lived in my 1 bdrm apartment eating Amway artery- clogging shit-food.

Also, they used to sell (I don't know if they still do) this disgusting orange juice concentrate that you mixed up with water.....it was the nastiest stuff...but hey, "I was going DIRECT", right????? Gotta be LOYAL to the flippin products...right???? So, anyway, I'm at my upline PSDD's house and Mrs. Excitement opens her refrigerator door and I see TROPICANA in the flippin frig!!!! I'm thinkin..."ok...these people tell me to use this crap because ' IT'S THE BEST!!!!!! and I need to be 100% loyal' and the frickin' hypocrite's are drinking the equivalent of Margarita's while I'm throwin' back the Mexican Bath Water!!!!!" WHAT A JOKE!!!!!

Needless to say I never bought either Critic's Choice or that OJ crap ever again and now I only buy the products I LIKE!!!!!!! And I haven't shown that damn plan in 4 years either.....life is much better.

Well, that's all for now. See ya later!

Listen man, I don't pretend to be the smartest or most intelligent man, but I know your deal.  You are either another corporation who is envious of Amway's GLOBAL success, a front man for said company, or just another loser who was chicken shit to talk to enough people to succeed in Amway.  My wife and I have been Distributors for a short while (6 months) and are already seeing checks rolling in.  If you have a personal problem with what Amway is all about then you should seek medical advice, it is the most sound opportunity available to mankind.GALYL (GET A LIFE YOU LOSER)

I am NOT an Amway distributor and am not thinking of becoming one. However, I know what they do and I think it is an OUTSTANDING opportunity for people who are not already financially independent. If I were not already reaping the benefits of my own success, I would become a distributor at the drop of a hat. Furthermore, it seems painfully obvious by the content of your site that you are either employed by Proctor & Gamble, or, at the very least, are somewhat affiliated with them.

It is a sad day in America when a company the size of P&G has to squander it's money to employ a person of your defamatory nature. Let's get to the questions:

*Why in the world would you paint such a poor picture of a company trying to help other Americans help themselves?

*If you are not affiliated with P&G, who wronged you in order to dedicate so much time bad mouthing a VERY effective business opportunity and a company with such outstanding morals and values?

*If this is such a terrible opportunity, what do you have that is better to offer the millions of people who need the benefits of owning and operating their own business without investing vast amounts of money?

Please answer, I'm dying to hear your response....

Dear Sidney Schwartz,

I would like to start off by commenting on your web page. It seems you have put a lot of time and effort to present a well organized web page that is both professional and easily navigated. Both the structure and quality of the materials presented speak highly of your commitment and dedication to speaking and backing up your facts and ideas about the Amway company. You seemed to have researched your facts completely and with an objective view-point which lends a great deal of creditability and reassurance to them. I have yet to read through the large about of data you present to me and the rest of the general public but I plan on revisiting your site in the near future to complete my reading. If you have not guessed yet I am an active distributor and I would like to thank you for providing me with an objective view point on my business. I am glad someone has taken the time and effort to present these facts and I hope you continue to update and revise your web page when new information is optaned. I do not plan on quitting the Amway company in light of information do to one thing: money. What I hope to gain through Amway is money to use as capital for other business ventures. I do not plan on staying active in the company after I reach Diamond (If I make it that far), but I plan on putting my best effort to make some money in a low capital proven business. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions from you that you think I should knew about for I respect your web site and the information it provides. One thing I recommend is you look into the AOL business for they seem to be the next biggest con and your research skills and web presentation skills would be well received in finding faults with AOL. I hope you continue to prosper in what ever business you are in and I hope to hear from you soon.

P.S. please pardon my poor grammer and bad spelling, english was never a strong suit for me in school.

I used to work for a guy who was into Amway. Everything in the store was Amway; tissues, coffee, Band-Aids, that damn Glister gum, ad nauseum. He tried to get all of us into it, and he would run his shtick to the clients. He lost a lot of clients for doing that, and it never even occurred to him that they were dying as he spoke. When he would talk to them, they looked as if they wanted to hang themselves. Maybe Amway sells rope......? Also, if one of us had a problem, either personally or professionally, he would not give us personalized, heartfelt, understanding advice. He was only capable of spitting out rhetoric, the slogans that they repeat to themselves to make them think everything's OK. This used to be a man who was a lot of fun to be around. This was a "cool boss", he'd go out for drinks with us, etc.Now, he's turned into a dogma-reciting robot. Forget about the crazy sense of humor he had, it's gone. Ah, he also spouts a lot of hardcore Christian philosophies. He started becoming very judgemental of others. Sometimes I did think he gave me good advice, there's nothing wrong with having a 'can do' attitude, but when I saw another site that listed all of Amway's catch phrases and other argot, I realized I wasn't getting personalized, caring advice, I just felt greasy and somewhat violated.

My own personal experiences with the group I was involved with in Amway was and is still frightening to me. I used to think that no one could fool me, or pull the wool over my eyes, but after leaving that Group of distributors, the truth hit me hard. I left after about 7 months in, and started to realize that there were only a few people making any profit at all, or at least in my group. My advice for anyone in Amway is to read everything, both positive and negative about the business, and you'll see what is there. Do not take a distributor's word for anything. Make sure you read all material before joining. Below I am listing the process in which I was recruited. Please read carefully.

-Got a call from a friend, who I was working with on starting a restaurant business with to listen to a business plan he thought was going to make him rich -went to a meeting, where a school teacher(someone I assumed intelligent) was speaking, he was a direct, and he pretty much hooked me in right there.

-started going to meetings every Tuesday night and hearing the same old story over and over as if that school teacher was a robot or something -was pressured(not forced) into buying tapes, books, etc... from the upline to better myself and improve my business.. they pretty much said that if I didn't get these materials, I wouldn't be successful(not exactly, but very round-about)

-went to functions and saw some "rich" people I thought were christians and wanted to do the will of God -got to sit with diamonds and emeralds, etc... and started feeling like someone special, which is what my upline told me, although I hadn't sponsored anyone, and I'd been in for 3-4 months by now -went hungry for most of the nights, and then went to a restaurant where they talked for 2-3 hours, while my mind was so weak I didn't think I'd make it home

-started getting the feeling that something was wrong, because they told me that if I were to quit being involved for a week or two, that I'd lose interest in Amway. Well, I did quit for a week or two and lost interest. Funny thing is, I still believe in Christ, I still wanna serve God, but I know that I don't have to be jobless, rich, and an Amway distributor to do that -after quitting Amway, I will admit that I felt guilty and dirty.. and my self esteem was very low I felt as if God had left me, and he had, the God of Amway, a false God -according to the upline I had, and other distributors, if anyone rejects Amway, they need to be "postured", put in their place, because their obviously stupid for not joining

My advice to any Amway distributor who challenges my words is this.. Christ came before Amway. You don't have to quit your job to be "free", only know the truth, and that doesn't come from slandering people. If any of you think your going to slander me with verbal abuse or physical harm, then think again, I have friends in high places and will take affirmative action if necessary.

Excuse me Sir I was wondering why you are crusading against Amway.

What does Amway tell its distributors about their own tax return. every year they show a ton of expenses and no income resulting in a huge loss of their schedule c tax return.

I've been with Amway and I will never criticize it or the people   I made the choice, you get it, I made it and  all other choices, that included the purchase of tapes and attending of meetings. ( I am sick of these "It's not my fault" whiners.)  I learned more from these people than I ever would from others like yourself.  Success always seems to be ridiculed by those who are unwilling to do what it takes to succeed.  And don't fool yourself if you didn't succeed in Amway.  We didn't either and that had nothing to do with the company.   We didn't follow through with what needed to be done to accomplish success.  Every business that WINS paid a price to get there.  Seems as though everyone is looking for the easy way out, the easy way to succeed, FORGET IT.  People shouldn't enter into other money making projects unless they are willing to do what is required. Our Welfare Government has handed out so many freebies, everyone seems to think that's how everything should work.  What if Amway had a different name like ah -Pioneer Seed Corn and you joined that to create yourself more income and then you just couldn't get things to happen and you so called failed at what you wanted to accomplish, who would you blame not selling seed corn to?????  Those that look for the easy path or the free handout criticize everyone else that makes more, but they sure don't want to have to do what the successful chose to do. IF YOU WANT TO EAT - WORK, IF YOU WANT TO EAT MORE - WORK MORE!!!!Amway is not a cult and I am not ignorant. You know, we get enough negative feedback from friends, family, co-workers, news media, a whole world full of it.  It's nice to know that I have a choice, to associate with those that encourage personal growth and promote positive thinking as opposed to hanging around those that criticize, condemn and bitch about everything. Where is it written that it is against the law to fail?  And that failing makes you a loser?  And that if you fail, you'll never succeed?Next time you condemn a friend to that thinking remember this!When your child starts to walk and falls, make sure you don't encourage him to try again, for he may fall again.  When your child firsts eats with a spoon and makes more of a mess, let him go back to his fingers. When he can't solve his first math problem, doesn't make the tackle and she falls from the parallel bars, please don't encourage them to go through that ordeal again. What can they possibly learn by doing that???  Don't ever forget, that until we die, we will always be learning, and if your not then your already dead. Oh yeah, and pick your teachers very carefully!!

Hey Schwartz-

I just wanted to let you know I appreciate your right to excercise free speech. But, if you are going to publish information, keep it up to date. Comparisions from 1993 - now that's impressive. Your site shows that you have no understanding of how a networking system like Amway works. You are showing your ignorance to those of us that have taken the time to study the workings of the business. Go ahead excercise your free speech - but use current accurate information.

An Amway Distributor That Couldn't Be Happier

It is true that many of the people, associated with the distributorship for Amyway products, are materialistic and have high hopes of becoming wealthy.  Many may be obsessed with the idea of getting rich quick.  Any successful business will draw these kinds of people.  There are people distributing Amway products (and recruiting distributors) that are using misleading tactics and improper means of persuasion.  I can make these statements because I was actively involved with all the presentations, rallies, and I have presented the plan.  I poured 2 years of my life and about 5 thousand dollars into the tools and travel to the rallies.  I saw many people who had good salesmanship techniques become very wealthy only after pouring their lives into helping people by creating friendships and years of hard work.  Those who claim that they were ripped off and suckered into a scam, either were involved with misguided people who were not following the rules established by The Amway Corporation or they were looking for a get rich quick gimmick that didn't require any talent, hard work, or time.  I received my money's worth.  I learned who I was and how to treat people.  I was involved with some great people who were very loving, caring, and honest.  No one forced me to buy anything.  No one pressured me into anything.  No one manipulated me in any way.  They simply tried to help me become a salesman and tried to teach me to help others by teaching them.  Through all this, I discovered that I could be a salesman; however, I found that there were more important things in life than the material riches of this world.  I didn't want to make the Amway way of life my whole life.  It is true that you can get rich in Amway.  I found that it takes a particular drive and willingness to succeed.  Many wanted the riches but few were willing to dedicate themselves to the cause.  The only thing wrong with the group of distributors that most people refer to as Amway is that it is made up of people and people aren't perfect.  I dare you to print this honest and actual experience on your web site.

You know what? I have been a part of the Britt system for about 3 years now. Everything that my upline has told me is true, but I find the things contained in your web page to be false. Amway is made up of individuals. And yes, some of these individuals don't do things correctly. You can look at any organization in the world and find good and bad in it. The things that are taught in our group are designed to help you succeed. Hey, if you don't want to do them then that is your choice, but you won't succeed. There are things that anyone in any field of endeavor has to do to be successful. If I want to be successful at the job that I work at, then I have to be here at least 40 hours a week and dedicate my energy toward my employer's dream. That's fine. He is offering a job and a way to make money. If you don't like it then you can quit at the risk of being blackballed in that particular profession.

The assumption that we are coerced into doing what we do is completely false. When I ask my upline "What do I need to do?" He tells me. It is my choice to do it or not. If I don't go to meetings then I can't be successful, because I would have never believed in my abilities to succeed without going to them. It is true that now I know everything that I need to know without going to the meetings. But then what about my new people who don't quite believe in themselves yet? I go to the meetings to be an example for them, and to encourage them. If you are on a football team, then you must practice. It is not an option. Is the football coach a cult leader, because he tells you that you need this repitition to be successful? The problem with you people is that you point to us as being brainwashed, as if you are not. Everyone is the subject of being influenced by someone else.

I know this. There are people who are unhappy with their careers and are looking for another opportunity, and that is what I offer. If it looks good to them, Great. I will tell them what they need to do to be successful. If they don't want to do it, then its not for them. No big deal. You know, I don't want to do what it takes to be a musician. It takes a lot of work that I am not willing to do. Should I slam musicians?

People complain that we don't tell them everything right away. It's a business, and no one can understand it all in 6 months. I'm not going to waste my time trying to explain everything at once to new people. They would not understand. If you had just started algebra, and I started explaining calculus to you, then you would think that math is something that just isn't your cup of tea. Any type of learning takes place in bite size pieces. And any teaching in any field of endeavor is taught one step at a time.

The reason that people don't succeed, is that they choose to not do what it takes. The bottom line is that it takes guts to succeed in this business, because you have to stand in the gap for your people. You have to be willing to stick your hand out and help your fellow man. I'm not saying that if you don't do Amway, then you don't have any guts. You are making the decision to not do what it takes. New people don't have to know what it takes, because they can't do it. The upline has the experience and they work for their new people to show them what to do. When your upline is working for you, you can see what it takes, and then choose if you want to follow his example.

I understand that people don't understand what we are doing. Obviously, your desire is to let people know the truth about things. If that is the case, then why don't you put this on your web page? There are two sides to every story. If you are not willing to do this, then you are brainwashing people. You are influencing people to not check out this oportunity and see if it something they want to do to succeed. Yes, you have a few people who have had negative experiences with their particular groups. But I know for a fact that the people who have had positive experieces far outnumber those with negative ones. If you are in fact a truth seeker. Then put this on your page. If you are unwilling to do this, then I will tell you the truth about yourself. It is because you are gutless. Gutless in the fact that you try to pretend that you are offering people the truth, but are in fact hiding behind one sided deception. I am not deceived, because I have seen both sides of the story. And what my leaders tell me is true. That is why I follow them. That is why I listen to what they say. It is because they have taught me to believe in myself and help others to do the same thing. Are you helping people or hurting them? If you are stealing people's dreams and robbing them of their hopes, then you are hurting them.

Again, I challenge you to put this on your page and let people decide for themselves who is right and who is wrong. Any true man who seeks the truth would do just that. If you are unwilling to do that then you can put yourself in whatever catagory that makes you feel good. I'm looking forward to hearing back from you.

Are we talking about the same Amway? I joined 5 months ago in South Africa and it's been incredible. The products are the best, my mother is the biggest critic in the world and she's my best customer and if u look at cost per unit most are cheaper. I have lost no money with the tools seeing that the are all tax deductible including the meetings, my gas money and part of my house. Where do u get your info from, are u a failed distributor? Everyone knows excactly what it takes to be succesfull in the bussiness and if u fail you've got only yourself to blame and not the bussiness.

So, to anyone out there considering this bussiness, this guy is lying about everything :

1. Amway products are better and cheaper

2. All tools, functions ect. expenditure are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!!!

[This is an especially dangerous lie, at least for U.S. distributors. Of course anyone can claim any deductions they want...the question is whether or not the Internal Revnue Service will allow them if you get audited. U.S. Amway distributors should know that the IRS instructs its auditors that most of these "deductions" are in fact not allowed, and if you are audited you may be liable to pay back taxes on them, and possibly fines and penalties. This information comes straight from Executive Planners, Bill Britt's tax preparation service. Of course distributors outside the U.S. should famliarize themselve with their own tax regulations to insure themselves that they are not being similarly misled.]

3. You can become financialy free, if you follow the system.

Ps. Everyone knows Dexter makes allot of his money from the tools, SO WHAT!! It's helping me building my bussiness faster, and it makes sence to follow in the footsteps of people who have done it before.

If only those of you who purport to know the real facts would take the time to take your head out of your @$$ and research the Amway business with an open mind and an unbiased eye, you would close this site full of stories told by those who quit because they didn't have the courage to fail and have to try again. Nothing in life is easy, except maybe getting a job working for your wife! If it is worthwhile, it is worth working hard for. Those quoted here gave up because it was too hard. Naturally, if you look, you can find the same or worse failure rate in most businesses. After all, how many try out for professional sports and fail. Does that make it a stupid choice. Grow up! Get a life.

I have gone through quite a bit of your web site. It seems to be quite informative and well thought, however not without its errors here and there. I am currently an Amway distributor just so you know. I am wondering how you have this amazing talent for getting quotes from people such as those on the board of Amway - who have never said some of the things you say they have.

I am especially referring to the idea that Amway will have to do some "belt- tightening". Yes - maybe in Asia, but also as a financial analyst in my day job I would not dare to question that Asian economic turmoil is hurting every company with Asian interests - yes even Amway. I do not, however, agree that it is from the "poor" reputation that Amway has as a company or that Amway products or distributors are summarily flawed as you so vehemently imply within your website.

Recently, an anti-Amway web site much like yours was shut down by a court legal order because the Amway legal team and legal authorities investigated it. Why? Because it was found out by legal authorities that the web site had been built and maintained by a person with ties to Procter & Gamble. Retaliation for the "satanism" thing? Maybe - but hey - as you say "freedom of speech" - right? If I want to say P & G is a satanic corporation - I would not hesitate because I have the right to say whatever I want - BUT I do not believe that about P & G and would never say that.

One thing that I am concerned about is the attention to detail that you have paid to your supposedly "Amway-killing" website. All I can say is that NO company or store on this earth can have products that will always be 100% cheaper than another store or product 100% of the time (93% maybe) because you can never figure out who's having a sale - who's got extra inventory - who's selling damaged and remanufactured products,etc,etc... Also - does everyone like Amway products? no. Does everyone like Walmart? no. Sam's Club? no. Does everyone wash their clothes with Tide or use Downy or Purex? no. Or use the Amway water filter to purify their water? no. (Most people don't even OWN a water filter because they don't know they need it until it's too late!) It's a matter of freedom of choice and Amway is ONE of many choices in this country...that's all it's meant to be in addition to being a business opportunity. Amway is here to stay so get used to it - you can be a customer, an active income-earning distributor, a naysayer on the sidelines, a former Amway-distributor...etc,etc... The thing is, at least in THIS country you can be one of all those things...think of all the places where people are less fortunate who CAN'T choose much less EVER develop any ability to choose because of the economic, political and/or geographical circumstances they're born into?

Also - EVERY major domestic and international corporation, in whatever sector you choose, has had up and down periods - but more importantly had a starting point - sometimes even "re"-starting points. Every corporation has ups and downs - that's obviously because they're run by people - people aren't perfect and always have ups and downs in their lives. Amway too could have financial stutters once in a while - BIG DEAL! - ever heard of a company that just kept on growing by leaps and bounds and never took a "breath" so to speak? Name one company in America that has never retreated in terms of real estate, manpower, money.

- Consider a few historical events that people downplayed to the point where it was considered stupid and infantile to even talk of the possibility of their success...

Ever heard or studied the story of Microsoft's rise from a 2-bit computer nerd haven to a major multi-billion dollar corporation? No one believed in them in the beginning...AT ALL! MS-DOS turning into the Office 97/Win95/98/NT tech empire of the WORLD? Back in 1983 - that seemed like the dumbest thing in the world because - OF COURSE - everyone knew that IBM was the king...well we know now how IBM managed their entrace into the PC market with the demise of OS2 & OS2 Warp - IBM didn't even believe or market their own product and caved into and was eternally overcome in the OS and app suite software market because of their poor attitudes...

The man who invented penicillin...if SOMEONE had not believed in him, alot of us would just be plain dead as a doornail right now...

The space shuttle? The manned moon landing in '69? - Everyone thought these were a idiotic wastes of taxpayer money. Not to mention that the manned moon landing was considered to be a bunch a sci-fi geek talk back in the late 50s/early 60s. But then the idea became...keep up with the damn Soviets...they put Yuri Gargarin (sp?) in space - and they did it first! We missed out on being first BECAUSE no one believed enough to put blood, sweat, tears, and yes, money into the effort - but plenty of money was diverted toward other much less useful things.

Oh - how about public transportation in this country? Practically every country in the world - even the poorest per capita GDP - have got these neat rail systems. - except we in the U.S. Thanks to the naysayers who represented the oil industry who made the products for use by the products made by the auto industry who in turn convinced the public that used their products they didn't need trains...we don't have a credible rail system for anything other than transporting petroleum or auto parts - what an irony!! Yet trains would have saved this country from terrible congestion and pollution issues in major metropolitan areas if they were a "first" thought and not an "after" thought...

How about Dave Thomas who patterned his Wendy's empire on the concepts of a tiny fast food burger joint in Findlay, Ohio called "Wilsons"? I lived in Findlay - neat place...Wilson's was too...no one believed a concept like Wilson's would survive the day...well? Know what? Wilson's even tried to SUE Dave Thomas for making Wendy's look and feel like the Wilson's fast food dining experience - hell even the Wendy's franchise architecture is almost the same (even the bathrooms are in the same place) - just smaller!! So where's Wendy's now? Pretty big stuff...

How about Ray Kroc and McDonald's...or Colonel Sanders and KFC? (yeah - they're stuff is greasy and fattening but damn is it good when you're in a hurry :) - no one believed these guys would ever do anything but lose their shorts and everyone who bought a McD or KFC franchise were doomed to complete and utter economic and personal failure...bzzzt! wrong answer thanks for playing...we have some lovely parting gifts for you...

How about Apple Computer and Steve Wozinak (the WOZ man himself). After building the FIRST user-friendly PC's for use in the US in the late 70's/early 80's, Apple Computer went through explosive growth...then in the early 90's really began to die...partially at the hands of Microsoft - but more because they refused to cross-license and open up their hardware and software tech to thrid parties...BUT this year they can't seem to meet demand for the new iMAC! Wow! What a turnaround and everyone was shorting Apple stock earlier this year and naysaying them to death!

Best of all...how about the Berlin Wall in Germany? I was once in the Navy and gave a briefing on whether or not the wall would come down - bear in mind I gave this brief to a class in 1989!! Well...even up until mid-1989 no one believed that this event - including the demilitarization of Eastern Europe by the Soviet Union - would EVER occur. I'd have to say that I would have agreed until I did enough research to confirm the suspicions of a handful of optimists...they were right!! No one believed that Eastern Europe would ever peer from behind the iron curtain again...and it did because people believed.

Well...Amway is unconventional. Amway is the unexpected in a sea of seeming calm of average day-to-day life of birth-school-work-death monotony. No it's not a saviour to the world's problems - but it certainly can offer much hope and help as an opportunity for personal and economic growth. In this country where only 5% of the people (this is an SSA NOT an Amway statistic) at age 65 can survive without a government check, many believe that this is still the best answer. That the status quo is the way...that welfare for some and social security for retirees will be the saviour. Now THERE is a place for the naysayers to step in...social security is dead...welfare is drying up...the only thing left to depend on is as it should be...yourself, your friends, and your family who in turn build a nation of people that depend on one and actually CARE about one another - NOT on their government to spoon feed them from the high chair to the grave... That's what alot of the 95% believe - that's what I used to believe.

As for me...My beliefs did not change because I got in Amway - as a matter of fact I almost punched a buddy of mine in the mouth while I was in the Navy back in 1989. Why? He said he wanted to tell me about Amway and sponsor me and invite me to see the opportunity...etc... I wasn't open to listening...even one little bit to anything that ran counter to the birth- school-work-death Gen X motif. It was all about Bud, Babes, and Bad behavior then... Well that attititude was worth about $13,500 a year (poverty income level for an average American family of 4). Got a new attitude...Got a much more highly paying job now. Maybe I am not yet part of that coveted 5% of the population who will stand up at age 65 and look out at the world and say I can help you because I helped myself...or I can help my children because I did for myself and for those around me that I loved and cared for...but I will be able to say that in spite of myself I beat the odds and did what other people, ESPECIALLY myself, thought never possible. One tool I am using to reach my end goals is Amway - you obviously are not...that's great! Business opportunities - even franchises - are not for everyone (especially not the squeamish ie - those who can't stomach McDs, KFC, or Wendy's). Amway doesn't need to be defended or by the same token demoralized just because someone likes, participates, or hates it! Who Cares? For me - I thank you for your website and the time you dedicate to it. Simply put, for every person who sees and believes in the negativity about Amway expressed on your web site - that's one less person who may have partaken of the Amway opportunity only to eventually give up and be a burden on any other distributor's business and their group and/or customers - and then only to be dissapointed because they realized that "hey - I didn't have it in me after all..." and can go on to do something more suited to them...

Well to wrap this up... You're going to think this is a cheap shot, so I apologize ahead of time and please don't publish this part of the email if you publish anything at all. I recently had a cousin of mine die a tragic death due to dependency on alcohol and drugs. His life was fine until the last few years when he developed personal troubles that led to horriblly parasitic dependencies that created financial troubles that in turn kept feeding on each other - and in turn on my cousin. Eventually his habits destroyed his personality to the point where he was a split - a half person as it were. His wife had already left him at the beginning of the troubled times...then his habits and resulting personality drew sharp criticism from all those around him. People tried to help him...but there were more people criticizing than could help him and the negativity won out. One family member even said just earlier this year to my cousin's face that they wished he "were dead and would never have been born". Well, that person is crushed right now - almost in the same state as my cousin was because of the woeful regret they have about the ugly things they had said to my cousin when he was alive - this person got their wish for him to die.

What I am saying is that all we have in this world and with the freedom we have in this country is the faith and attitude that we put into life, one another, and our endeavors. When someone sets out to destroy or discredit something as if it were their life's mission, it becomes their life mission. Consuming them until they cannot believe in opportunity and prosperity and can only see the mediocrity and despair of the 95% who say it's fine to just get by, these people are consumed by their negativity until it becomes 100% of them. They draw bad luck and hard times like a magnet and all those around who know better avoid these people - making them in turn feel isolated and bitter. Negative people even turn on each other, start conflicts, and hurt others in the process. What's happened is that they've lost sight of the possibilities that the future has to offer - whether Amway is used as a rung on the ladder to success or not. As far as Amway goes - I am a human being like every other distributor in Amway - I am no better than anyone else because I am in Amway - I am not richer or poorer mentally or financially because I am in Amway - I don't deserve the right to rebut your web site just because I am in Amway - I am not a better or "more" free American just because I am in Amway. But I am free - because I believe in myself and those around me that I care about and they in turn believe in me. It's that kind of symbiotic care that embodies a successful relationship...and that kind of faith and positive attititude. If you don't have it - all the tapes and books from here to Mars won't give it to you - only another friend or family member who cares about you can. You first have to believe in yourself before you even go into busines for yourself or pursue something that you know in your heart will work - but only a very few agree with you. It's that kind of commitment that you have to make in order to make this business or anything else grow into a positive development that contributes not only to yourself but to everyone around you. Take it easy - see you later...