Its not bonkers if you have a ruthless win at all costs strategy. You dont become the richest man in the world by being nice.
It’s not necessary, but it probably helps. It’s also a great american tradition (though by no means unique to american), and so is calling for the state to help you not being nice (and then people wonder why US unions are antagonistic…)
As such, I'd like to believe people at places like /r/povertyfinance would still consider themselves successful if they moved beyond their financial challenges through a ton of work even if they don't end up wealthy.