Do Rich People bother you?

[SunDancer]

Do rich people bother you? Driving luxury cars?

Seems everyone hates Bill Gates, but many love Mark Cuban. What makes you respect these guys?

[Draft Dodger]

I've got no problem with rich people.

I have a problem with people who think they are better than other people for any reason - money, education, or whatever.

[Airhog]

So your saying that im no better than the kid that dropped out of school in third grade, and flips burgers down at tasty cheese? Dammit I want a refund then, or something.

[clintl]

I'm with Draft Dodger.

[Fritz]

what if I think I am better than other people for no reason in particular?

(No, rich people do not bother me)

[Pumpy Tudors]

Rich people don't bother me, but I'm better than all of you.

[mckerney]

No, I don't hate the rich. I hate assholes, which some rich people are.

As far as the Bill Gates thing, I think that's mainly because of the people who view Microsoft as the evil empire, him being the figure head. No reason to hate him for being a rich snob, being he gives quite a bit of it to charity.

As far as Mark Cuban, the reason everyone (myself included) loves him is he seems just like a nerd who came into a massive windfall of money, which is pretty much what he is. Buying a sports franchise and everything he's put into it, working at DQ, telling David Stern to fuck off, doing all the things we'd do if we were given a few billion dollars.

[44Niners]

I have no opinion about the rich - but I hate draft dodger, well cause he's a dodger fan! :0

[vex]

Originally posted by mckerney
No reason to hate him for being a rich snob, being he gives quite a bit of it to charity.


Considering how much he actually has, he doesn't give much.

[Marc Vaughan]

I personally don't have a problem with either money or rich people.

I don't see money as anything but a means to an end and it definitely doesn't indicate if someone is better than someone else.

Rich people can be kind, loving, intelligent people - or they can be arses .... exactly the same as anyone else really :D

[sterlingice]

Hell, I'll say I have a problem with the rich. Or at least a lot of them.

The rich tend to have a larger percentage of people who are act as Draft Doger brought up: they have a sense that they are better than everyone else and vascillate between feelings that everyone owes them something and the need to show off said wealth.

SI

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by vexroid
Considering how much he actually has, he doesn't give much.

how much do you give to charity relative to your income?

[Ryan S]

Originally posted by vexroid
Considering how much he actually has, he doesn't give much.

He has personally given away over $600 million. His charitable foundation has given away over $6 billion in grants.

He is in a no win position. If he donates nothing he is a "greedy bastard", and if he does donate money, he is either "not donating enough" or "doing it for the publicity".

[oykib]

Originally posted by Ryan S
He has personally given away over $600 million. His charitable foundation has given away over $6 billion in grants.

He is in a no win position. If he donates nothing he is a "greedy bastard", and if he does donate money, he is either "not donating enough" or "doing it for the publicity".

I'm not picking on you, Ryan S (I realize that you are making the same point I am). But who the hell are any of us to tell Bill Gates what to do with his money? He doesn't owe a red cent to anybody.

As for rich people thinking that they are better than others-- We all think that we are better than somebody.

Airhog made the joke about the guy at Tasty Cheese. But, honestly, don't most of us act that way. Just look at how people act the next time you're in line at Burger King and their Whopper doesn't come right away.

The only difference is that rich people can realistically view all of us the same way we view the Burger King guy. I try to catch myself when I am feeling that way. But I won't lie and say that I've never made a comment to the effect of, "Dammit... how'd he mess up on the register? There are no actual numbers on it-- just pictures of the food."

[scooper]

I have an uncle named Rich. He bothers me.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Jealousy is an ugly thing.

[Bee]

Originally posted by SunDancer
Do rich people bother you?

Only when they get through the security in my gated community. ;)

[illinifan999]

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: Total given in grants (http://www.glf.org/Grants/)

Yeah, that's a shitload of money.

[BFleming]

While I agree with DraftDodger, I think there's more to it as well....There's that obnoxious group of people that don't have money, yet spend like they do to give the illusion that they are better people than we are...

[ctmason]

I love rich people. To the best of my knowledge, I've never worked for a poor person.

[Anrhydeddu]

For those that are jealous of the rich, wants to soak the rich, wants to redistribute wealth, etc., take a look at who you are employed by. For private companies, it is only the rich that provides the capital and investment to continue to produce products so you can stay employed. For public companies, it the rich and upper class (and businesses) that pays most of your taxes to keep you employed. For college students, it is the wealthy alumnus that provides grants, chairs, research centers, scholarships so you can have a meaningful college experience. Simplistically speaking.

Assholes come in all socio-economics classes, but the ones that galls me are those that made bad choices slamming those (like Bill Gates) that made good choices.

[tucker342]

I agree with Draft Dodger on this one

[Fritz]

rich people taste better when cooked.

not that I would know firsthand

[SteelerFan448]

Originally posted by mckerney
No, I don't hate the rich. I hate assholes, which some rich people are.

As far as the Bill Gates thing, I think that's mainly because of the people who view Microsoft as the evil empire, him being the figure head. No reason to hate him for being a rich snob, being he gives quite a bit of it to charity.

As far as Mark Cuban, the reason everyone (myself included) loves him is he seems just like a nerd who came into a massive windfall of money, which is pretty much what he is. Buying a sports franchise and everything he's put into it, working at DQ, telling David Stern to fuck off, doing all the things we'd do if we were given a few billion dollars.

I agree. I really don't mind Bill Gates, he hit it big with something I use and really don't have a problem with. As for Cuban, in addition to what you had to say; Cuban presents himself as a fan. He sits by the court, not up in a luxury box. He doesn't wear suits to games, but team gear and just seems like a fun person.

[DeToxRox]

If rich people bothered me, I wouldn't watch sports.

[Ufer]

The Gates Foundation has an endowment of approx. $24 billion -- that's $$ given by the Gates'. Plus he takes a personal interest in finding creative solutions to serious world problems -- hunger, health etc. -- by meeting with scientist, engineers and other specialists and coming up with plans and solutions.

I do think the Gates should be publicly lauded for their generosity. We should give positive reinforcement and credit to those who do great things for others and encourage others who are extremely fortunate to help those in need.

[Castlerock]

Originally posted by vexroid
Considering how much he actually has, he doesn't give much.

I don't know how you define "not much" but he and his foundation have already given away over 6 billion dollars. I think he plans to give away his entire fortune by the time he dies.

[SunDancer]

I always like Bill Gates. He had an idea, went with it, and hit it big. Same with Michael Dell, who only is like 25-year-olds. and hit it big in a few years with his company "Dude...it's Dell". and Cuban and his internet venture. But any remeber Horns, if you want too.

I look at it like this. If I had that kind of money, I would def. treat myself. I would have mansion, nice garage of luxury cars, all the good things. Maybe a jet :) I'm sure that's what we all do. However, I wouldn't try to be snotty. Would I drive my car to my high school reiouns, of course :). I would do Bill Gates do, donate much to charity, and if I ever sold my business or whatever it was, I would give a percentage of that to my employees. I do it for personal pride, and something I want to do.

[SunDancer]

Originally posted by Castlerock
I don't know how you define "not much" but he and his foundation have already given away over 6 billion dollars. I think he plans to give away his entire fortune by the time he dies.

Really? Does he not have children?

[cuervo72]

The only thing that bothers me is knowing that the majority of rich people are likely no smarter than I, yet they have been able to cultivate an idea into wealth, whereas I have not. I don't begrudge them for that, but find that to be a fault of my own.

Actually that's not entirely true. I DO somewhat resent those who were born into rich families, and have either done nothing to earn their wealth or have been handed positions with no merit besides their lineage. Basically offspring that leech off of the wealth of their family, and think they are more "important" than the rest of us by birthright.

[Anrhydeddu]

You would do the same thing, cuervo, if you were born into a wealthy family (as if you had a choice of which family to be borned into). But I am one that believes in a meritocracy, not status based on wealth, race, sex, national origin or class structure.

[Noop]

I'm somewhat rich and I don't act like an asshole(ok only to Notre Dame fans) But money doesn't make you happy just comfortable...

:)

noop

[mckerney]

Originally posted by Noop
I don't act like an asshole(ok only to Notre Dame fans)


That's not being an asshole, that's giving people who've got it coming the shit they deserve. Damn I really hate Notre Dame... :mad:

[Noop]

Originally posted by mckerney
That's not being an asshole, that's giving people who've got it coming the shit they deserve. Damn I really hate Notre Dame... :mad:

Don't let scooper hear you say that or he might post pics of your team.

:)

noop

[cuervo72]

Originally posted by Anrhydeddu
You would do the same thing, cuervo, if you were born into a wealthy family (as if you had a choice of which family to be borned into). But I am one that believes in a meritocracy, not status based on wealth, race, sex, national origin or class structure.

But to what degree is the question- there are those who are much more obnoxious about itthan others. I realize I am more fortunate than others, but I don't think that having a better car or a nicer house makes me a better person (of course, my first two cars were a '79 LeBaron and an '82 Chevette). I'm sure if I had been raised in a wealthier household, I might act differently.

I take it you're not exactly lobbying for the "death tax" to be repealed. ;)

[Castlerock]

Originally posted by SunDancer
Really? Does he not have children?

I think he has 3 kids and I'm sure that they will get something but Gates has said that he does not want to leave a gigantic inheritance.

[scooper]

Originally posted by Noop
Don't let scooper hear you say that or he might post pics of your team.

:)

noop

Sorry. I don't think anybody's bothered to take pictures of his team. ;)

[SunDancer]

Originally posted by Castlerock
I think he has 3 kids and I'm sure that they will get something but Gates has said that he does not want to leave a gigantic inheritance.

Just curious, why's that?

[SunDancer]

http://www.moraldefense.com/Campaigns/Microsoft/Essays/Why_Bill_Should_Keep_His_Billions.htm

Here's an article...

[Leonidas]

I like Marc Cuban because here is a guy in a position of authority in the NBA who says the things fans would like to say if they had the chance. For a billionaire, he does a pretty good job representing his fans. Most of the other owners are so image conscious they become boring. Cuban is honest and refreshing.

[SunDancer]

Yes, he seems committed to winning, not like the Clippers, Bengals, Cardinals, ect...

[WussGawd]

I don't hate rich people. I don't discriminate. I just hate people.;)

[SunDancer]

http://aolsvc.pbs.aol.com/now/transcript/transcript_inheritance.html

Here's one more article.

[cartman]

If rich people don't bother you, would you be willing to be paid by them to act bothered? That's the real question.

:D

[scooper]

Originally posted by SunDancer
Yes, he seems committed to winning, not like the Clippers, Bengals, Cardinals, ect... Too late, SunDancer, I saw the Lakers in there.

[Easy Mac]

It depends on how rich she is and if she sleeps with me. If she doesn't sleep with me, then yes... she bothers me.

[SplitPersonality1]

No. Rich people do not bother me. I hate the poor.

My therapist says I have self-loathing issues. Whatever.

[JPhillips]

I don't begrude anyone the money they earn provided the game is fair. What bothers me is CEOs who set up massive pension trusts for themselves while looting the pension plans for the workers. When corporate boards slap lavish bonuses on CEOs who will be expected to vote for lavish bonuses when they are on boards. When investors are given inside info that turns their investment into a free fortune. When business owners or CEOs turn political connections into gravy trains that funnel public money into private coffers. And I especially hate it when a Hilton sister says she never realized that ome people have to work.

But for those like Gates pr Buffet or any number of other people that turned a talent or idea into a fortune, I say congrats.

[CamEdwards]

Rich people don't bother me. After all, they're not the ones coming up and begging for money.

[mckerney]

Originally posted by CamEdwards
Rich people don't bother me. After all, they're not the ones coming up and begging for money.

Did you ever get Cuban on your show?

I'm a big Mark Cuban fan and being I'm not currently the fan of any basketball team I'm considering jumping on the Mavericks bandwagon mainly because of Cuban.

[T.C.M]

It is really simple. The rich keep on doing the things that made them rich and the poor continue only doing the things that keep them poor.

Only jealous people dislike the wealthy.

T.C.M

[CamEdwards]

Originally posted by mckerney
Did you ever get Cuban on your show?

I'm a big Mark Cuban fan and being I'm not currently the fan of any basketball team I'm considering jumping on the Mavericks bandwagon mainly because of Cuban.

Yeah, actually I've had him on twice. Once on my old sports show to talk about the Mavs, and once on my new show to talk about a fund he's established to pay for the education of children of servicemembers killed in Iraq.

[SackAttack]

A rich snob is nothing but a jerk with money.

Wealth, like adversity, never enhances or fundamentally alters one's character. It only more fully reveals it.

As an aside, this has gotta be a record for longest time in between composing a post and actually clicking 'submit'. I typed it yesterday afternoon, and came back just now to find it unsubmitted. Whoops.

[SunDancer]

True,
But not every rich snob is a jerk. I don't consider Mark Cuban, Bill Gates jerks. I think they are outstanding people. Yes, you do have rich, snobby jerks. But you also have snobby people who think they are rich, or just jerks in general.

[cartman]

Originally posted by SackAttack
As an aside, this has gotta be a record for longest time in between composing a post and actually clicking 'submit'. I typed it yesterday afternoon, and came back just now to find it unsubmitted. Whoops.

Josh,

I don't know what's more troubling. That you decided to go ahead and click submit, or that you had a single browser window open for so long!

:D

[cuervo72]

Originally posted by cartman
Josh,

I don't know what's more troubling. That you decided to go ahead and click submit, or that you had a single browser window open for so long!

:D

I leave browser windows open for days on end.....

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by cuervo72
I leave browser windows open for days on end..... Ditto...

[cartman]

Originally posted by cuervo72
I leave browser windows open for days on end.....

I thought that's why "Add to Favorites" was invented!