Dude, you're missing the point and not dishing out any knowledge in the process. You accused these people of being "blue bloods" - indicating that they came from substantially wealthy & established families. Ok, maybe the son of a congressman fits that description. My mistake for not vetting the list properly. Instead of picking out the 1-2 guys who don't fit, why don't you try and see what the greater point of the list was. These are people who are each worth BILLIONS and they didn't come from families with anywhere near as much affluence as they now have. Most of them did it without vast social networks or tons of funding like you assume all wealthy people have, they just hustled until they were at the top of the game.
You keep saying that all their profits are made on the backs of the poor. That may be true to the extent that some of their companies may have engaged in unethical business practises, but a few anecdotes in no way proves that all wealthy people got their money off the backs of the poor. That's not only incredibly naive, it's illogical. As for the people who aren't making enough money to be self-sufficient, where is their responsibility in this? Did they ever attempt to learn a trade? Do they speak proper English (not that it is always necessary, but it sure helps)? How many kids do they have? Have they tried to work other jobs or multiple jobs? I have very little sympathy for a person who doesn't speak any English, doesn't have any skills except for knocking up his wife, and now he's complaining that he can't make enough money to feed all the mouths. And before you accuse me of being racist against immigrants, I'm thinking more about the ghetto people who grew up in the US who have had opportunities to get educated (all you really need is a high school diploma), have had opportunities to keep their dicks in their pants, who have opportunities to get jobs that aren't glamorous but will pay the bills. Why is it that illegal immigrants keep coming to this country and make decent livings while people born in this country cry out that they need welfare and government assistance? That's why I call people lazy, despite how offensive you find it. There are hard workers hanging out in front of Home Depot waiting for a chance to make some cash so they can pay their cheap rent and wire moeny home to Mexico and most of them aren't complaining. On the other side of the barrio you have kids who grew up in the US who turn their nose up at working in fast food and sag their pants in job interviews, then complain that they can't get hired and they need assistance.
As for your claim that wealthy people just sit around hording their money all I can say is wow, you really have no clue. Wealthy people aren't wealthy because they put a bunch of money in a WaMu savings account and sit on it. They're wealthy because they use their money to make more money. This is done by investing their money in other ventures - their money gets used by people with less money to start new businesses. Even money getting thrown around the stock market is flowing into companies who turn around and use that capital to conduct their business. With few exceptions, the money does flow back into the economy. Not only that, but when investments are successful and these businesses grow they have to hire more people and more jobs are created. World Wealth is not a zero-sum game. Wealthy people having money doesn't deprive the poor people like you seem to think.
You and I are never going to agree. You think that the wealthy exist only because of the poor, and vice versa. I think the wealthy exist largely because of themselves, as do the poor exist largely because of themselves as well. If I ever make enough money where my kids and grandkids never have to work, holy shit that's a great thing for my family. Hopefully they are good stewards with the money and can help make the world a better place.
You never answered the other question: Can I have $20 from your wallet? I'm sure your lifestyle will not be impacted and I'll give it to a good friend of mine who is less fortunate. She's a single mom who has trouble making ends meet. Surely she is entitled to the money because she's 2 months late on her car payment, hasn't paid her cel phone bill, and spent the rent money to pay for food for her 6 year old boy. Her income is below the poverty line and she could desparately use some money. Don't get me wrong, my question isn't about whether or not you have a big enough heart to donate $20 to a person in need. My question is whether that person *deserves* or is *entitled* to your money. Can you answer that with an honest "yes"?
