Why can't everyone be rich?

http://library.thinkquest.org/J003358F/money_tree5.jpg
I remember asking my mom as a child why everyone wasn't rich. I couldn't understand why there were some people who didn't have any money, because all the money you needed was enough to buy a cheque book and then you could just write the cheque out for as much as you needed. Ahh if only life were that simple! I have a cheque book but no money. I hate not having money, yet I keep spending it anyways. Like today I plan to spend the whole day shopping, hopefully getting a pair of shoes and some more Christmas presents, only 4 more people to buy for!!!