I think a better question (and as I said before, but you turds scoffed at it) is why the ultra rich do not spend.Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony
Personally, you could not give me enough money. I could spend every bit of it. Either on fantastic things that I feel would make the world more exciting, like research or history preservation, or on completely practical things like starting new businesses.
With millions I would do something like pull the WWI german sub from Lake Michigan, restore it and give it back to Europe.
With millions I would start new businesses in the heart of my home state and try to revitalize the economy.
With millions I would build parking garages in down town districts, encourage chain businesses to come back, and lobby for tax cuts to people that use existing structures.
With millions I would bring every school in the American south up to date on computers, insuring that every kid has access to technology. I might even go further and give them those little micro computers that we want to hand out in third world countries.
With Millions I would buy Ampeg and bring the company back to the US.
When people talk of caps, they're telling me "Don't try, IP" "don't get rich, because we're going to cap how much money you make and tie your hands." "we know better, none of what you want needs to be done"
And if I don't do it, it won't get done. Real life isn't a movie. There is no office of "things that need to be done." While we discuss this, all those problems go unsolved. The government doesn't care and has zero plans of doing any of that.
And I cringe at the idea of being forced to dissolve my wealth at death. My grandfather worked hard and was a wealthier man when he died than his father. The same is true with my dad. In part from their own work, and in part from thier inheritance. One life building upon the other. Each life making the life of the next generation better. I would hate for that to end with me. I would hate for my assets to be liquidated and the generation after me get nothing or little. When I die I want to know that I'm leaving my family something better than what I started with. That they will be safe. That they will be provided for. And that they will continue to build on the labor of a long line of people.
But I think many of these feelings are lacking in the rich today. And I'd like to know why. Despite it being a major ethic of our culture, they do not spend. They do not make the world better with their money. Each generation of the ultra wealthy does not seem to be building upon the other. Or at least not to the same level that their wealth is building.
I'd like to know why. I think there is more to it than "because they're rich" or "because the rich are corrupt" That tells us nothing and is just a stupid stereotype. It just dehumanizes the main players. Its no better than asking why minorities are poor and then saying because they're minorities.
