Luxury Shame

Not to veer too far off the subject of this article, but has anyone who is in the fortunate position of being wealthy considered that instead of cutting back their spending, consider donating the same amount to charities that could really do some good with the money? For instance, how about taking that same money you wanted to spend on another over-priced Manhattan apartment or palatial country estate and donate to your local food bank, or Boys & Girls Clubs of America? How about an endowment to the arts instead of buying another multi-million dollar piece of art or sculpture? Scholarships for children who would like to attend college but don't have the money would be an excellent idea.

Don't get me wrong, anyone who made his/her wealth with hard work, intellect, drive and determination should enjoy their rewards. There is no shame in achievement. I have a problem with people who made their money by exploiting others or the establishments they work for (i.e. the mortgage brokers, hedge-fund managers, greedy CEOs). Those are the people who should feel ashamed.

I am attending school while teaching and covering my tution is hard. I am in great need of some financial help.

I have been playing the TEXAS LOTTO everyday. I am a teach erand I am in need for a stable income that can support my poor lifestyle without living check-to-check.

It is a shame that the reaction of the Wealthy to this economic downturn is embarrassment and a selfish inclination to stop buying luxury so that they do not get any bad publicity. Let get one thing straight, the rich should be embarrassed-- not for having money but for their lack of charity. Instead of taking this shame and digging into their coffers to help the neediest among us, all the Wealthy can think to do is to stop flaunting their luxury in order to seem that they care about what is happening to their fellow citizens instead of actually caring. There is no shame in being successful; in taking an idea or a skill and achieving the American dream, however to hoard wealth, live a ridiculous lifestyle of flamboyance, and turn a blind eye to the conditions of poverty in our country is shameful and morally reprehensible.

What's the point of this article in Newsweek? It is read by obscenely wealthy people? And what's the point of this article for the rest of us, the common folks? Are we supposed to feel bad for them that suddenly they can't throw themselves 3 million birthday parties or buy a new Ferrari every first Monday of the month?! Even the queen of England is (Oh my God!) wearing the same dress more than once. WHO CARES? There are so many REAL problems worldwide at the moment.

You do not bring any of this with you through the doors of death.You will find no pockets in your final gown,your past will influence your future.~Michael~

I can't even watch MTV cribs I think it is real sad when people have 15 cars and a house big as a mall that is living in excess. The E channel I do not watch. I can not stand watching things that show how the 1% lives because it is not reality. Do I feel sorry for myself? Maybe? I am a teacher living in Texas off of 41,168 a year before taxes and after taxes maybe 35,000. I am mad as HELL that my few tax dollars went to WALL STREET. I can not even afford my daily bills. There is no middle class any more the only classes left are POOR and RICH. I am too POOR to live decent and too RICH to get assistance. I AM THWE WORKING POOR!

I'm thinking that we have become stockholders in these companies we've bailed out, so why couldn't we go to a share holder's meeting and point blank tell these CEO's what we think. They are so insulated and out of touch, maybe a few million people screaming in thier faces would make an impact. I think to crucify anyone because they are wealthy is wrong- this is America we all have the same chance at a dream which dosen't mean its all about money. Obviously we need a stable economy and those that deliberately deceive and ravage us, as has occurred due to blatant greed and ignorance, owe us an explaination and a solution.

Yes lets all feel sorry for the rich people. Im sure this is a time of great shame for them.

The wealthy should be ashamed of themselves... just because you can afford it doesn't mean you should buy it. Look at our generation today they all believe that if they go out and act like rockstars and rappers and Paris Hilton *shudders* then they will one day be rich and fabulous like these people but the truth in the matter is that normal everyday joe schmoes are actually hurting themselves more than helping their status. The reason our economy is the way that it is IS BECAUSE WE ARE A GREEDY NATION that lives in the now and does not care about the future. And one last thing to the celebrities, such as Bono who walk around sporting $2000 pairs of sunglasses meanwhile telling the blue collar workers that they should donate their hard earned bread money to starving children, I have a major problem with people like you. You say that you care about the starving childs well-being as you sit in you luxurious living quarters, but face it man you really don't. If you truly cared about these people then you would give ALL of your riches to FEED THE CHILDREN and live amoungst them... Mother Theresa did. She cared. Bono (and other celebrities like him) does not.

The wealthy should be ashamed of themselves... just because you can afford it doesn't mean you should buy it. Look at our generation today they all believe that if they go out and act like rockstars and rappers and Paris Hilton *shudders* then they will one day be rich and fabulous like these people but the truth in the matter is that normal everyday joe schmoes are actually hurting themselves more than helping their status. The reason our economy is the way that it is IS BECAUSE WE ARE A GREEDY NATION that lives in the now and does not care about the future. And one last thing to the celebrities, such as Bono who walk around sporting $2000 pairs of sunglasses meanwhile telling the blue collar workers that they should donate their hard earned bread money to starving children, I have a major problem with people like you. You say that you care about the starving childs well-being as you sit in you luxurious living quarters, but face it man you really don't. If you truly cared about these people then you would give ALL of your riches to FEED THE CHILDREN and live amoungst them... Mother Theresa did. She cared. Bono (and other celebrities like him) does not.

Ferbert, it's not being envious of the rich but they need to pay their fair share of taxes and stop hiding their money off shore. So is Corporate Welfare ok with you? Sorry but they should be ashamed. I watch some of those shows like real housewife's of Atlanta or Orange County and sorry but I just don't see the need to have over 500 pairs of designer shoes and the whole lot just to one up their friend's when there are children starving and people losing their homes I have worked my whole life and lost most of my retirement money in my 401K, the job market has been stagnant in my state and my son cannot find any type of work yet we are expected to bail out Wall Street. Hey you ashamed rich folks instead of your designer bags, shoes clothes, etc. why don't you help out some families this Christmas. Perhaps you could forgo your $30,000 birthday parties for your kid's and do the Christian thing. I don't have a pot to p in but I still try to do it.

As far as feeling sorry for them no way, for all of you that are either philthy rich or protecting their indulgences try going to a party or function and see how you get treated if you are just a normal middle class person. It is not pretty.

well my, now i was born very poor and i am poor still never mind the working of a 40 hour week never mind that i finished high school but never had enough money for college.
i and my family have suffered beyond reason just to pay the bills and eat if we are lucky a boloney sandwiche ., but you know what we are rich compared to all the poor homeless folks who are sleeping in boxes and eating rotten food from the trash.
why should the rich care they are too busy wearing the latest fashions and diamonds on there bodies and of course laying their heads upon a nice warm soft pillow and eating as extravegant as a king .
it is a shame that it took a recession for them to be shameful of their lot in life .
you know what i figured out about money it is wonderful if you use it with love such as charities and such but i would be ashamed if i were rich and i had all the comforts around me and didnt help others who were hurting now im not saying all rich people are awful in the regard for human comfort but know this every night when you go to sleep there are those who have no shame in the torture of those that are poor and if i had a wish it would be for all those whom are rich to live 24 hours in the shoes of those that are poor and also know that you can be filthy rich but without love and giving love you are as poor as a pauper ever could be.

well my, now i was born very poor and i am poor still never mind the working of a 40 hour week never mind that i finished high school but never had enough money for college.
i and my family have suffered beyond reason just to pay the bills and eat if we are lucky a boloney sandwiche ., but you know what we are rich compared to all the poor homeless folks who are sleeping in boxes and eating rotten food from the trash.
why should the rich care they are too busy wearing the latest fashions and diamonds on there bodies and of course laying their heads upon a nice warm soft pillow and eating as extravegant as a king .
it is a shame that it took a recession for them to be shameful of their lot in life .
you know what i figured out about money it is wonderful if you use it with love such as charities and such but i would be ashamed if i were rich and i had all the comforts around me and didnt help others who were hurting now im not saying all rich people are awful in the regard for human comfort but know this every night when you go to sleep there are those who have no shame in the torture of those that are poor and if i had a wish it would be for all those whom are rich to live 24 hours in the shoes of those that are poor and also know that you can be filthy rich but without love and giving love you are as poor as a pauper ever could be.

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/54/biz_06rich400_The-400-Richest-Americans_Rank.html
GO TO THIS LINK AND SEE THAT THIS REPORTER HAS A "BEEF" WITH JEWISH PEOPLE>
of the top 50 riches people in the USA only 4 are Jewish- and of course as i read the comments the racists come out and start pointing fingers at the 'jewish people'