When talking about what the root of money is, I would have to agree with you that man is the root. With mankind being the creator of money, it would only make sense we are the root of money. However, we made it evil by

spend their money to manipulate and try to do evil bidding instead of using it for market exchange and for being a productive citizen.

It is interesting that if there is something that gives pleasure, someone has probably abused it. With money, money itself may not cause pleasure, but what you are able to do with money is where the pleasure comes into play. Instead of using money smartly, people use to to buy drugs, weapons, excessive food, etc. which is why people say money is the root of all evil. Its not the physical paper but the results due to evil people. As you stated that money is just a reflection of the person. One may think that the prices we see on products are given by the seller, but like you said it is actually the creator and the economy, the population. We as a population are the economy, meaning we ultimately decide what has more or less value. The market place is an interesting place. Like you said, if vendors are selling too high, it gives others to do it cheaper. One way or another, people will get what they want. It may look good to the economy, but on paper and morally, war is never the answer, especially not when trying to get out of an economic slump. Sure it gives companies less competition but the money spend to get the ammunition, guns, gear, fuel, tanks, etc. is not cheap. Instead of killing foreign countries, trying to negotiate trading, or material prices seems safer and cheaper for the economy. I like how you explained that rich and poor have problems. Having money does not take away all you problems; but the rather investing in yourself. The rich blame a situation, the poor blame the economy, neither blaming themselves. So no, money is not the root of all evil, it definitely adds fuel to the fire, but men is the root of money which we make evil. Its not money but rather the true colors it brings out of an individual. Great essay and loved expanding my perspective through you writing.