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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2021 5:33:58 GMT
"Jeff Bezos’s New Superyacht Heralds Roaring Market for Big Boats If anything, demand for extravagantly high-end yachts has outstripped supply. “It’s impossible to get a slot in a new-build yard,” Tucker said. “They’re totally booked.” As in any industry, yachtbuilders had reasons to be concerned last year when initial lockdowns froze new orders and markets plunged. But, by summer, the ultra-wealthy realized they hadn’t actually lost money. By many measures, 2020 was a record year. As business closures rendered millions unemployed and global GDP slumped, the world’s richest people added $1.8 trillion to their collective fortune, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.... One thing it won’t have, because of its enormous sails, is a helipad. So Bezos and his partner, Lauren Sanchez, a helicopter pilot, have commissioned a support yacht, people familiar with their plans said. " www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-05-07/jeff-bezos-s-new-superyacht-heralds-roaring-market-for-big-boatsI'm so relieved. What a sad world this would be if the mega-super-super-mega yachts weren't flying out of the shipyards. |
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Post by tenacious on May 8, 2021 5:45:38 GMT
Gross
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Post by pjaye on May 8, 2021 6:07:49 GMT
I'm so relieved. What a sad world this would be if the mega-super-super-mega yachts weren't flying out of the shipyards. All of the things that go into making that yacht, all of the materials, the workmanship - all employs people. Those people get to use that money to live their lives and feed their families. So Bezos had an idea and he made himself a fortune - good for him. I don't begrudge anyone who has the ability to do that...and if that opportunity presented itself to me, you better bet I'd grab it with both hands. The rich need to spend their money on stuff - that way it keeps others employed, better than just having it sitting in the bank. |
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
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Post by Gennifer on May 8, 2021 7:49:00 GMT
All of the things that go into making that yacht, all of the materials, the workmanship - all employs people. Those people get to use that money to live their lives and feed their families. So Bezos had an idea and he made himself a fortune - good for him. I don't begrudge anyone who has the ability to do that...and if that opportunity presented itself to me, you better bet I'd grab it with both hands. The rich need to spend their money on stuff - that way it keeps others employed, better than just having it sitting in the bank. There are a lot of things Bezos could do with that money, and still have plenty sitting in the bank. Starting with upping the compensation for his employees (you know, the people who’ve helped him build his business). |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 8, 2021 7:58:54 GMT
I truly cannot fathom that kind of wealth.
I read a funny Instagram post about Biden's tax that he wants to put on people who make 400K+ a year. It said something to the point of:
If you put back the $9.37 pack of chicken, to get the $8.54 pack of chicken, you don't need to worry about Biden's tax. It's not aimed at you.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2021 10:56:29 GMT
I betcha super rich people want boats like this to get away from the masses permanently in case people wake up and decide to dismantle the system. They can just live self contained and go to a new country that doesn't care.
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pyccku
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by pyccku on May 8, 2021 11:52:27 GMT
I betcha super rich people want boats like this to get away from the masses permanently in case people wake up and decide to dismantle the system. They can just live self contained and go to a new country that doesn't care. New country? They’re probably thinking ahead to leaving the planet as climate change gets to be more of a problem. |
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by iowgirl on May 8, 2021 12:54:01 GMT
This is why I paid $25 more to go into my nearest little towns hardware store and buy something that I did have in my Amazon cart. I am a big Amazon shopper. I live in a rural area, so it isn't always easy to get what I need locally and of course the cost is almost always more when I shop local. But I really feel like I must try to keep what money I can away from him. I would hope others do the same.
He needs to spend money on his EMPLOYEES! Not a trip to Mars or a new boat.
Plus I got a nice visit in with the store owner. Supported MY town and I had it right away instead of sometime next week.
Shop local - screw Bezos! He is an awful person.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2021 13:08:08 GMT
All of the things that go into making that yacht, all of the materials, the workmanship - all employs people. Those people get to use that money to live their lives and feed their families. So Bezos had an idea and he made himself a fortune - good for him. I don't begrudge anyone who has the ability to do that...and if that opportunity presented itself to me, you better bet I'd grab it with both hands. The rich need to spend their money on stuff - that way it keeps others employed, better than just having it sitting in the bank. There are a lot of things Bezos could do with that money, and still have plenty sitting in the bank. Starting with upping the compensation for his employees (you know, the people who’ve helped him build his business). I don't disagree with you in principle but the people most to blame are the public for buying off his company in droves to the detriment of millions of smaller companies that have gone out of business because of it. If you ( general you not you personally ) buy or have bought from Amazon then in turn you are contributing to his billions and have no right to moan at his vast wealth. Not to forget the governments of many countries that have loop holes in their tax laws that allow these companies to base themselves in lower tax countries but gather a high level of their income from sales in other countries and pay very little in tax within that country. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2021 13:17:50 GMT
All of the things that go into making that yacht, all of the materials, the workmanship - all employs people. Those people get to use that money to live their lives and feed their families. So Bezos had an idea and he made himself a fortune - good for him. I don't begrudge anyone who has the ability to do that...and if that opportunity presented itself to me, you better bet I'd grab it with both hands. The rich need to spend their money on stuff - that way it keeps others employed, better than just having it sitting in the bank. There are a lot of things Bezos could do with that money, and still have plenty sitting in the bank. Starting with upping the compensation for his employees (you know, the people who’ve helped him build his business). There are plenty of things Bezos could do with that money and STILL EMPLOY LOTS OF PEOPLE. Like use it to hire health care workers for the poor, mental health counselors and hospital beds for those in need, etc. All of the things that go into working with the mentally ill or children or the elderly or training young people, all of the materials, the workmanship, the facilities - all employs people.
Those people get to use that money to live their lives and feed their families.
That is the crux of the issue. In an economy where do we want the OUTPUT of that economy to go and who do we want it to benefit? The vast majority - helping their lives in thousands of ways? Or to the tippy-top and their servants/merchants? But people LOVE to argue for the disgusting status quo. |
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Post by pjaye on May 8, 2021 13:44:19 GMT
People are always SO altruistic with other people's money aren't they?
I'm sure the homeless people you walk by would have lots of suggestions for what you could do with all your money to make their lives better too.
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lizacreates
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by lizacreates on May 8, 2021 14:06:24 GMT
There are a lot of things Bezos could do with that money, and still have plenty sitting in the bank. Starting with upping the compensation for his employees (you know, the people who’ve helped him build his business). I don't disagree with you in principle but the people most to blame are the public for buying off his company in droves to the detriment of millions of smaller companies that have gone out of business because of it. If you ( general you not you personally ) buy or have bought from Amazon then in turn you are contributing to his billions and have no right to moan at his vast wealth. Not to forget the governments of many countries that have loop holes in their tax laws that allow these companies to base themselves in lower tax countries but gather a high level of their income from sales in other countries and pay very little in tax within that country. And it won’t abate because of the convenience/cost/availability, etc. Summer last year when Amazon cut the $2/hour COVID-induced hazard pay rise of its employees, orders kept on spiking. And spiking some more. And then more. So I can only conclude that broadly, people didn’t really care about those employees. I don’t even think they care that Amazon paid zero federal tax. But they care when the delivery is late, gets lost, or the package is banged-up. That’s the reality. So when some grouse about the extra monies the unemployed are currently receiving until Sept, I just don’t listen anymore. Because if I were an average worker, uh…yes, those extra monies are a heck of a lot better than wages even if they’re only temporary. $2/hour may be negligible to many, but to an hourly employee living paycheck to paycheck, that’s manna from heaven. |
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hutchfan
Drama Llama
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Post by hutchfan on May 8, 2021 15:15:59 GMT
He was asked to help donate money for food service workers (industry) during the pandemic and said no.
When other companies that were asked gladly gave.
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Post by busy on May 8, 2021 15:26:24 GMT
Income inequality is a major issue and I am definitely in favor of higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy.
That said, Amazon employees are Amazon employees, not Jeff Bezos’s. Jeff Bezos’s money is not Amazon’s. Obviously they are closely intertwined but his wealth is from stock value, not compensation. Amazon stock is valuable for a variety of reasons, including how they manage their cost structure, which includes employee compensation. A decline in Amazon stock value wouldn’t just affect Bezos - it would affect a lot of us here, too, to much lesser degrees.
He should pay his employees more, not buy a super yacht… in principle, sure. But in reality, it doesn’t work that way.
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Post by busy on May 8, 2021 15:29:29 GMT
He was asked to help donate money for food service workers (industry) during the pandemic and said no. When other companies that were asked gladly gave. He didn’t donate to Guy Fieri’s thing. He did donate $100 million to Feeding America during Covid. |
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pinklady
Drama Llama
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Post by pinklady on May 8, 2021 15:48:51 GMT
This is why I paid $25 more to go into my nearest little towns hardware store and buy something that I did have in my Amazon cart. Shop local - screw Bezos! He is an awful person. I just don’t get this. I work hard for my money. I don’t feel one ounce of guilt for shopping where I get the most for my money. I shop at Walmart, Amazon and AliExpress. I want to get the best quality product for the lowest price to expand MY wealth. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on May 8, 2021 16:13:03 GMT
I don’t feel one ounce of guilt for shopping where I get the most for my money. I shop at Walmart, Amazon and AliExpress. I want to get the best quality product for the lowest price to expand MY wealth. I do order groceries on line from Walmart delivered. When my groceries arrive within or close to the scheduled time the driver gets a full 20% tip on the total order even if there are cancellations from the store! I agree tot he suggested tip on the Walmart site and make sure to give cash to equal the 20%. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2021 16:21:37 GMT
But in reality, it doesn’t work that way. Agreed. That's why tax policy is SO important. Or. We can keep increasing the chasm between wealthy and homeless. Between the top 10% (or 1% or .01%) and the bottom 90% That's an option. And a likely one when everyone throws up their hands and fights for more of the status quo. |
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Post by pjaye on May 8, 2021 16:26:15 GMT
In an economy where do we want the OUTPUT of that economy to go and who do we want it to benefit? The vast majority - helping their lives in thousands of ways? Or to the tippy-top and their servants/merchants It doesn't matter what "we" want because it's not "our" money to make that decision with. Bezos made his money just like you and I do, and just like you get to decide that you'll give your spare $20 to the homeless man (I'm sure you do!) I get to decide that I'll buy a cocktail with mine. And who is this "tippy top" you think is just benefiting? Do you think steel, iron, wood etc just materialize out of thin air? Follow the chain of supply back - at some point for the steel used in the yacht it was someone's job to dig it out of the ground, someone else's job to drive the truck, to take it to the processing plant, to melt it down, to shape it, to drive it to a warehouse, to sell it on etc etc etc. Before that one steel beam gets to the yacht it's probably been through 10 or 20 different people's 'jobs' and they've all made an income from it. The same with wood, at the very start it was someone's job to plant tress, then someone's job to chop down trees, someone planed the timber, someone drove a truck, someone polished it etc etc etc. It's not just the "tippy top" as you put it of people that benefit from a big job, it's literally thousands of people....they use nails - someone had to make the nails, package them, sell them, if you use nails, then you need a hammer, someone had to make that hammer etc etc etc. There's all the tradesmen, the forklift drivers, crane operators, truck drivers, tradespeople...then while all of those people are working on building the yacht, they all have to eat - so the food service workers get employment. I could go on and on listing every single product used, and where it originates, and every single tradesperson, and their tools - but you must surely have got the idea by now. It's such a simplistic, blinkered view to not understand that while yes at the end of it one person owns a big boat - but in the process of getting that boat built he spent a few million dollars and all of that money went to into the pockets of thousands of real people. Those people then used the money they earned to buy more goods and services for themselves, hence paying more people for their work. That's why when the economy is bad, rich people spending their money is good, especially now after the havoc of covid lockdowns, restrictions and job losses, any spending on big items is good for everyone. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2021 16:35:39 GMT
DH and I are not even in we same galaxy as Bezos...but we do very well. We do well because we have all worked very hard to grow the business. We own several private schools.
Even before Covid, I was well aware of how the parents would talk about us (the owners). We worked really hard to bring different things to our schools like career fairs and science fairs. I even started the very first library at one of the schools. The family as a whole have never looked at our students as just $ signs. The parents have absolutely no idea that headaches that we deal with making sure we have good teachers...insurance for the teachers...insurance for the buses...internet connectivity. Our phones NEVER stop ringing...EVER! Some parents are happy and thankful for all that we do, but there are definitely some that begrudge us for our success. We have had our cars keyed even.
Covid was the worst though. The government called for a complete lockdown for everyone. In just a week's time, we had online courses up and running. I worked 3 months straight late into just about every night making online English classes for 1st grade all the way to 9th. People refused to pay the tuition for the months we were in lockdown because their kids weren't in school. Even though they continued to use our services...many commented how the government was giving us money.
Again, when it came time to enroll students for the fall, the government shutdown ALL schools for a few weeks. This came right after parents paid enrollment. We had protests at our schools and people making YouTube videos about what thieves we were. What they didn't know is that the government never helped us through the lockdown. We continued to pay all of our teachers full salary during the lockdown. We paid from our own savings because we didn't have tuition payments.
People don't know how often we have let some students attend for free because of tough situations. Or how we have helped to provide school books for those that could not afford it. How we have helped to pay for surgery for staff because they couldn't afford it.
Even from my own friends and family, I get comments of..."Oh, it must be nice!" (sarcastically). More than once I have been left paying a bill because people skipped out since they think I can afford it.
I have really learned not to judge or begrudge someone for what they have. You just NEVER know for sure what goes on that you can't see. Just ask yourself...if you won a million dollars...would you give it all away?
I don't deny that there ARE people who lie, cheat and steal and make $$$ by taking advantage of people. I just caution you not to be so quick to judge.
I am not taking up for Bezos but I am not judging him for how he spends his money either. Not my business.
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hutchfan
Drama Llama
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Post by hutchfan on May 8, 2021 17:15:12 GMT
He was asked to help donate money for food service workers (industry) during the pandemic and said no. When other companies that were asked gladly gave. He didn’t donate to Guy Fieri’s thing. He did donate $100 million to Feeding America during Covid. Good to hear! So many companies have stepped up to the plate and donated to Guy's thing and many other things during this Pandemic. |
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 8, 2021 17:18:12 GMT
I truly cannot fathom that kind of wealth. I read a funny Instagram post about Biden's tax that he wants to put on people who make 400K+ a year. It said something to the point of: If you put back the $9.37 pack of chicken, to get the $8.54 pack of chicken, you don't need to worry about Biden's tax. It's not aimed at you. I think whoever wrote that post doesn't really know a lot of people making more than $400K a year. Some of the cheapest people I know are also the most well off. Forget $8.43, they're at walmart buying chicken for $3.99. Particularly first generation successful people are really not lavish with their spending - at least some of them. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2021 17:31:00 GMT
Just ask yourself...if you won a million dollars...would you give it all away? To answer your question, I would NOT give it all away. And I'm not advocating that the m/billionaires GIVE IT ALL AWAY - FFS. And we're not talking about a million. We're talking about HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS to BILLIONS. But, a lot of people are just hunk-the-dunk living in a country in which some can hoard BILLIONS while the homeless walk the streets in filth, pain and misery. That is NOT the world I aspire to. Hence my quest to tip it back to some semblance of equity. But many of you keep on arguing for the status quo. I'm sure it will just magically fix itself. If we just keep waiting for that amazing "trickle down" theory to work. PS - LOTS OF PEOPLE WORK HARD. FFS. You get rich because of the work of yourself AND OTHERS and LUCK - luck of the genes (intelligence, emotional intelligence, etc.) and/or luck of birth (parents, connections, family money, etc.) But yeah, "work hard". Like sanitation workers, nurses, bus drivers, etc. That'll fix it. So work hard and wait for trickle-down. Let's keep doing that!!! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2021 17:52:48 GMT
Just ask yourself...if you won a million dollars...would you give it all away? To answer your question, I would NOT give it all away. And I'm not advocating that the m/billionaires GIVE IT ALL AWAY - FFS. And we're not talking about a million. We're talking about HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS to BILLIONS. But, a lot of people are just hunk-the-dunk living in a country in which some can hoard BILLIONS while the homeless walk the streets in filth, pain and misery. That is NOT the world I aspire to. Hence my quest to tip it back to some semblance of equity. But many of you keep on arguing for the status quo. I'm sure it will just magically fix itself. If we just keep waiting for that amazing "trickle down" theory to work. PS - LOTS OF PEOPLE WORK HARD. FFS. You get rich because of the work of yourself AND OTHERS and LUCK - luck of the genes (intelligence, emotional intelligence, etc.) and/or luck of birth (parents, connections, family money, etc.)But yeah, "work hard". Like sanitation workers, nurses, bus drivers, etc. That'll fix it. So work hard and wait for trickle-down. Let's keep doing that!!! I'm trying to be polite about your ASSumptions. We started our schools in a small apartment in a bad neighborhood. We didn't have luck I am afraid. It was A LOT of hard f***ing work! I have had several years of having up to 500 students in one school year. WTF about the trickle down economics?!? I don't even believe that works, so I am quite confused why you are lumping my comments in with that. I absolutely believe in helping those less fortunate and I do....more than you know. I don't go around spouting and showing off about it because I do it because it's the right thing to do and not because I want people to see it. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2021 17:55:22 GMT
We didn't have luck I am afraid. It was A LOT of hard f***ing work! I have had several years of having up to 500 students in one school year. Let me say it again. You had LUCK. You had LUCK of GENES - intelligence, planning ability. But yeah, pretend it was all bootstraps and anyone could do it. Then go spend some time in adult learning centers. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2021 18:11:59 GMT
We didn't have luck I am afraid. It was A LOT of hard f***ing work! I have had several years of having up to 500 students in one school year. Let me say it again. You had LUCK. You had LUCK of GENES - intelligence, planning ability. But yeah, pretend it was all bootstraps and anyone could do it. Then go spend some time in adult learning centers. Bless your heart. Your welcome to visit one of our schools that we have set up a program to actually help some of our illiterate parents. Granted it is in Arabic because that is their common language. I am not even sure how to respond to your anger that I have intelligence. WTH? |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2021 18:15:48 GMT
I truly cannot fathom that kind of wealth. I read a funny Instagram post about Biden's tax that he wants to put on people who make 400K+ a year. It said something to the point of: If you put back the $9.37 pack of chicken, to get the $8.54 pack of chicken, you don't need to worry about Biden's tax. It's not aimed at you. I think whoever wrote that post doesn't really know a lot of people making more than $400K a year. Some of the cheapest people I know are also the most well off. Forget $8.43, they're at walmart buying chicken for $3.99. Particularly first generation successful people are really not lavish with their spending - at least some of them. Absolutely true! I had an architect friend that would serve drinks in these plastic champagne glasses...to maintain a bit of class, you know. He would always scream at everyone NOT to throw away their glasses and he would promptly wash them. Always cracked me up. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2021 18:24:04 GMT
I am not even sure how to respond to your anger that I have intelligence. WTH? WTH indeed? I am not angry. (Talk about ASSumptions). I am dismayed. Not that you have intelligence. (Again, WTH - I wish we ALL had intelligence why would I begrudge it in you?!) That you don't see your luck and the inability of others to succeed in the same way due to their LACK OF LUCK - of the draw (genes, birth, etc.) |
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Post by pjaye on May 8, 2021 18:36:29 GMT
That is NOT the world I aspire to. Hence my quest to tip it back to some semblance of equity. Your quest?  Bitching about a rich man buying a yacht on a message board of middle aged, mostly middle class, anonymous women, can't be called a "quest". You aren't in control of his money, nor is anyone here and he doesn't read here either, so you're not changing a single thing and you have some serious delusions if you think posting here about what Bezos "should" do with his money "tips the world back to some semblance of equity" Sure, you can have an opinion, but it's just that - your opinion, the act of having it...changes nothing. As for you belittling the trickle down effect, perhaps talk to some of those steel workers, or truck drivers and ask them if they'd rather get paid to do their job because Bezos and some other rich dudes are building a big boats, or be unemployed? I'll bet I can guess what their answers would be. As I said - let the homeless guy you walk past come into your house and point out where you waste your money, all the things you have that aren't absolutely essential, the food you have that is more than your bodies nutritional requirement, the clothes you have that you aren't wearing everyday, let him go through your salary and bank account and then he can tell you where to spend your money. I'm sure he'd spend your money quite differently than you do. |
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inkedup
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 26, 2014 5:00:26 GMT
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Post by inkedup on May 8, 2021 18:52:28 GMT
His yacht will have a support yacht.
Imagine what this country would be like if Bezos and his ilk gave the government close to 40 percent of their income like my husband and I do.
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