I hear this BS all the time, people dismissing the grit of the winners by calling out the checkbook factor. I think they are trying to cover for their own lack of success by blaming it on lack of funds. If the other guy rose to the top, and I didn't, it must because he has more money. It couldn't be that he is more dedicated, more talented, made more sacrifices in his personal life, works harder, is more tenacious, more focused, more competitive, makes better decisions, and has more drive than me. Nope, he just wrote a bigger check.