Luxury Shame

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  • Posted By: nevadageorge777 @ 12/02/2008 11:44:57 AM

    If he had a party, he would need to hire a planner, hostes, waiters, cooks, housekeepers and such. He should feel guilty because those people won't get hired or paid. When the rich quit buying, the poor are the ones who are hurt. We are a country of angry hate the rich people, and it hurts the poor the most.

  • Posted By: mbronner @ 12/02/2008 11:38:18 AM

    Dear Dazed and Amused, you don't hate Obama much now do you.(rhet.) you freakin' racist. if $30,000 would pay off your mortgage, then either you aren't in a bad situation financially, or you bought a $30,000 trailer, one of the two. Pissing and moaning over a $30,000 mortgage, when most peoples homes aren't worth what they owe sounds a great deal like Bill O'Reilly talking through his butt. You're not Bill are you? Wow! I'm really impressed to be speaking to such a brilliant mind as the one in your head. I'm guessing that you have great anger built up in you from listening to the propaganda machine that is FOX News, and you believe every lie that you hear. This behavior doesn't make you a hypocrite but it makes you the laughing stock of everyone who has a least a third grade education. Congratulations on selecting a black man and woman as your target rather than the White population, who have collectively raped you without you even having a clue, you moroooon.

  • Posted By: katye421 @ 12/02/2008 11:37:33 AM

    Congratulations on one of the most obvuridiculous articles ever. "Shame"? Now there's "shame" attached to enjoying the fruits of hard work and success? What a bunch of s***.

  • Posted By: creditsco @ 12/02/2008 11:34:42 AM

    The wealthy do not care about your plight. I don't blame them at all. We need to learn to lve below our means and vaccinate ourselvles from the "Jones Virus" - keeping up with the Joneses - and be responsible for our money and learn to respect it. You make 50k with a 30k line of credit, you make 50k no 80 ke when you tell your friends how much you make. Live below your means!

  • Posted By: JoanneMGC @ 12/02/2008 11:34:39 AM

    I am no millionaire by any means. Living at the poverty level, actually. What I'd like to know is why the wealthy should stop living the lifestyle to which they are accustomed? I agree that the AIG execs had no right to treat themselves to spas while asking for bailouts, but when the rich are spending their OWN money, it only helps to stimulate the economy. Once a company asks for a bailout, I think the execs pay should be frozen. But let the wealthy party it up--it helps the caterers, florists, party-planners, stores where they buy their party clothes.....etc; Us regular folks can't afford much shopping these days, but let them live their lifestyle and help all the little people along the way........

  • Posted By: Dire @ 12/02/2008 11:03:36 AM

    Dumplin, the wealthy are wealthy mostly because of good timing, not necessarily because they've worked hard. There's an entire book out that talks about how wealth is very much in the timing of events. Take Bill Gates - he went to a school that had one of the first REAL computers, and was able to spend much of his time fooling around with it. Take a kid from another school who works just as hard and is just as smart, if not smarter, but deprive him of that chance to get a head start.... and we have Bill Gates, world billionaire, and Joe Schmoe, programmer. Bill Gates also had the backing. Now, you have to take ADVANTAGE of those golden moments, but that moment has to be presented in the first place. Most wealth starts out as WEALTH in the first place - I'd love to start a business, but in this economy, it wouldn't survive and I don't have the backing from rich relatives or friends - my old boss started a business that was failing almost from the start, but she had a rich dad to bankroll the endeavor and keep it going through the hard times. Not to say she didn't work hard, but she was a terrible business woman who didn't understand marketing or business upkeep. Boy, I wish I had a rich dad to get me going and keep my business from buckling under my own stupidity. Wealth is also about the CONNECTIONS - if you know OTHER rich people, you are more likely to be rich and continue building wealth, because once again, you have a base to support you. The "rises from the poor to become the rich" myth is America IS mostly a myth. For every rich people who was once poor, you have the majority that were born into the world or made the connections to get into that world. Not because they're necessarily smarter, and certainly not because they work harder.

    So, I guess the lesson is: be born rich, have a rich parent, make rich friends, make connections, work hard and have EXTREMELY GOOD LUCK!

    • Posted By: T-in-Texas @ 12/02/2008 11:33:20 AM

      Luck is preparation meeting opportunity. Most people don't prepare (that takes too much work) and don't seize the opportunity (too risky). "Rich" is all relative anyway. I grew up on a farm and my father worked two jobs to put my brother and I through college. We are now "well off" financially-not rich but very comfortable. However, in about ten years, through hard work, saving, and investing wisely, my hubby and my net worth will begin to register in millions. My sister, on the other hand, got preggers in high school, dropped out, has been married 3 times, raised 2 alcoholic kids, and is now on disability SS. She is jealous of us other two siblings because we are "rich" and "lucky". How many millionaires were born that way. Not many! There is no myth about it. You can still achieve the American dream. But, with the attitudes of some of these comments-not for long.

  • Posted By: Shimpainai @ 12/02/2008 11:32:48 AM

    Its getting to where being rich in the U.S. is like just being "American" in a third world country. Better not wear that diamond ring in public. The next person to shake your hand will stealthily remove it from your hand. Don't flaunt it unless you want it stolen.

  • Posted By: kgmasta @ 12/02/2008 11:31:20 AM

    Why don't the rich people take their extra cash and give it to the government, that way taxes will not have to increase and they can feel a little remorse for being so successful, the new american way!!!!

  • Posted By: creditsco @ 12/02/2008 11:31:05 AM

    Read the book "I Can't Afford to Marry You: A guide to understanding the true cos of love" this a a great book that gives people the tools to live below their means and change the paradigm on how one should choose a mate - exchange credit reports and be transparent about money behaviors. We need to change the way we do business and the way we choose a mate. Pretty and Handsome just do cut it anymore.

  • Posted By: dazed and amused @ 12/02/2008 11:18:04 AM

    Did anyone else hear on the news this morning that Obama is giving Michelle a $30,000 diamond ring for helping him get where he is? Thirty grand would pay off my mortgage. I thought he was going to be all about the little people. Not only is that hypocritical, it's a public relations disaster.

  • Posted By: dazed and amused @ 12/02/2008 11:16:33 AM

    Did anyone else see on the news this morning that Obama is giving Michelle a $30,000 diamond ring as a "thnak you" for helping him get where he is? Thirty grand would pay off my mortgage. I thought he was going to be all about the little people. Not only is that hypocritical, it's a public relations disaster.

  • Posted By: sieg6529 @ 12/02/2008 11:11:12 AM

    I have poor relatives, and I have wealthy relatives. The difference is not how hard they work. The difference is the lifestyle choices they make and the education they received.

  • Posted By: Phyrexius @ 12/02/2008 11:05:59 AM

    This is just more propaganda from the elitists socialists bankers. Don't ever believe any of our politicians if they show signs of wavering from the Constitution. RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT 2012~ Wake up, the Federal Reserve is stealing your money!

  • Posted By: eawatson @ 12/02/2008 11:04:32 AM

    I guess it would be to much to ask of these "wealthy individuals" to help out the middle/lower class that keeps this country going. Nahh, better spend it on designer clothing, cars, boats and themselves. Maybe the celebrities, politicians and such who make hundreds of thousands of dollars a week should be given a "pay cut?" I'm sorry but this has nothing to do with politics-it has to do with people who have one thing on their minds-themselves. Sure, wealthy people give to charities and good for them-but what I find ironic is even in difficult times ordinary people dig into their pockets and help out!!!

  • Posted By: MUNKIE @ 12/02/2008 10:58:28 AM

    This is the lamest article ive ever read. rich feeling guilty, lol. This guy gets a paycheck for lieing to the puplic. Way to go johnnie. lmao, rich feeling guilty.

  • Posted By: chaneng @ 12/02/2008 7:51:55 AM

    there is nothing wrong with being wealthy. why should anyone feel guilty when received through hard work, ingenuity and just plain old good luck?! if have money, go and spend. i wish i had a lot of money because makes life pleny easy. the ones who should feel guilty are those corrupt politicians who get elected or re-elected through deception. they get the best health care and perks that do not match the work they do for this nation. they do make money for their citizens; all they do is take wealth from the hardworking taxpayers and give to others who will vote for them back into their cushy jobs. the worst are those that represent the districts that pay no taxes.

    • Posted By: sduplan @ 12/02/2008 10:54:43 AM

      I could not agree with you more! Some of these politicians should face criminal charges. I am sick and tired of working hard to provide a good life for my family so some politician can come and tax me to give to those in his districts that refuse to work, stay home and have babies they can't take care of.
      When I moved to this country 20 years ago it was to take advantage of all the opportunities that this great nation afford. You go to school, get a good paying job, have a couple of children and help them do the same, There is no need to work hard if the government is going to pay you to stay home. I am sick of the whine from those parasites who expect society to take care of their problems and do nothing to help themselves!

      I am not rich but I intend to be one day through my hard work. Let the rich spend their money, everyone benefits in the end. The rich contribute billions every year to charity and still some complain that they do not do enough. You'll find that the one that whine the hardest are those who do nothing to help themselves!

  • Posted By: Amber in Northern IN @ 12/02/2008 10:52:24 AM

    Anyone who believes that the wealthy are wealthy because they've worked hard is obviously a greedy person themselves. Wealth is nothing more than GREED! Working hard and living a good life should consist of nothing more than living comfortably and being able to pay your bills with some leftover for enjoyment. When you break down the wealthy "budgets" and realize how much it could help those who TRULY work hard and can barely get ahead, then you realize that selfish millionaires and billionaires who are so kind as to not purchase another luxury car or build another oppulent home aren't doing anything but holding on to their money out of fear for losing it. Shame on greedy, selfish and guilt ridden people who are so narrow minded to think that by not flaunting their status pieces, they are actually helping anyone!

  • Posted By: DUMPLIN @ 12/02/2008 10:36:09 AM

    I AGREE THAT THERE ARE THE FEW WHO GIVE THE WEALTHY A BAD NAME. BUT FOR THE MOST PART THE WEALTHY ARE WEALTHY BECAUSE THEY HAVE WORKED EXTREMELY HARD AND HAVE EARNED IT. THEY ARE ALSO QUITE GENEROUS WITH THEIR AFFLUENCE. THE RED CROSS, THE SALVATION ARMY AND OTHER CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS DO NOT MAKE THEIR MONEY FROM NICKELS AND DIMES GIVEN BY SCHOOL KIDS (EVEN THOUGH THAT IS VERY GOOD TO TEACH KIDS TO CARE ABOUT OTHERS). I DON'T WANT TO GET POLITICAL BUT ACCORDING TO STATS REPUBLICANS GIVE MORE TO CHARITY THAN DEMOCRATS (JOE BIDEN IS A GOOD EXAMPLE). THE WEALTHY SHOULD NOT FEEL GUILT OR SHAME, THEY HAVE EARNED IT. SHAME ON OBAMA AND BIDEN TRYING TO MAKE THE WEALTHY SEEM EVIL AND SELFISH, THE WEALTHY ARE THE ONES WHO INVEST, WHO START BUSINESSES, WHO PROVIDE JOBS AND SHARE THE WEALTH BY PRODUCING GOODS AND SERVICES THAT WE ALL WANT TO BUY. THEN THERE ARE THE WEALTHY WHO MAKE THEMSELVES WEALTHY THROUGH RIDICULOUS MEANS SUCH AS FREDDIE MAC AND FANNIE MAE (JAMIE GORELICK, FRANKLIN RAINES ETC.) THESE ARE THE TYPES OF BLOODSUCKERS WHO ENRICH THEMSELVES THROUGH CRIMINAL MEANS AND GET AWAY WITH IT. SO DON'T LUMP ALL THE WEALTHY IN ONE GROUP AND SAY THEY SHOULD FEEL GUILTY AND ASHAMED OF WHAT THEY HAVE, ONLY THOSE SUCH AS GORELICK AND RAINES SHOULD FEEL GUILT.

  • Posted By: knimbo @ 12/02/2008 10:13:36 AM

    hey, there's no shame in being rich. i wish i was rich. and it's true that the rich actually do help the working class by spending and providing jobs; however, if i were rich, i KNOW i would not be for long, because i'd give it all away. that's how i am. i'd give you the shirt off my back and so would my husband give his. it IS the responsibility of the rich to help the poor by more than just spending and creating jobs. haven't you ever heard "it's better to give than receive?" that's not just an old saying. there's truth in it. haven't you ever done something nice for someone and felt that wonderful feeling in your HEART from being a kind person? the problem with our world is most are in it only for themselves. i read an article once that quoted oprah as saying she sleeps on $8,000 sheets or maybe it was $80,000 sheets--it was something ridiculous anyway. so, i say, there's no crime in being rich, just in how you spend it. how can a person sleep at night knowing they could help, maybe even save lives, and yet they don't lift a finger. not to say all the rich are unwilling to help others. i'm sure there's a handful who do, and some don't even do it for the acknowledgement. i'm not saying they should help out the scum who don't work and could, but just suck our government dry of OUR tax dollars. i'm talking about hard-working people like myself, who literally don't know how they will feed their family this week or where they will live when they lose their home. some day the rich will understand. they may be dead by that time, but they WILL come to understanding.. 'gee, i wish i would have thought to help someone with my billions...' dang it's hot down here..lol.

    • Posted By: T-in-Texas @ 12/02/2008 10:32:44 AM

      If you give it all away then you will have nothing left to give. I'm all for charity but some of that money needs to be invested elsewhere, too. Give a man a fish-he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish- he eats for a lifetime. Some people just refuse to learn to fish for themselves! And, more than a HANDFUL of wealthy people give. Take a look at all of the charitable foundations, endowments, etc. that are out there. That's a lot more than a handful! And, who cares what Oprah sleeps on-she's full of hot air anyway. How do you know the sheet maker doesn't need the money or give to charity?

  • Posted By: workshardforthemoney @ 12/02/2008 10:32:10 AM

    I don't know why there is a perception that I am some corporate exec. I worked for a larger than life company, just to get the boot when I was going through a very bad divorce that turned violent. I now work for a freight broker, and I can tell you times are tough, business is slow. We need an infusion of wealth to move goods from suppliers to buyers, so let the true wealthy spend. I am sure many of the nouveau riche lost their fortunes in the market. Why is it the responsibility of wealthy people to take care of the less fortunate, although I am sure that they all get a hefty tax brealk for charitable contributions. Speaking of taxes, the poor folks don't pay, they get it back. It is maddening to know that because I worked hard, own a home that my mortgage is current on, and have no debt because I don't believe in spending more than I make, that I have another tax bill coming up soon. We are in real trouble here. I don't think CHANGE IS A COMING

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