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S Alsop's avatar

We will know billionaires have lost enough money when Trump is in prison.

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D Kitterman's avatar

Before I retired from my small Horticultural Services business, I worked for a billionaire family. I am very service oriented and ethical so they scooped me up, gave me tremendous responsibility and later, expected me to get rid of all my other clients and work only for them. That was a red flag that I ignored, much to my stupid dismay. It was an education. I have worked for many large corporations and wealthy people, some of which were good, honorable folks.

But the VERY RICH do not even see us. They never go into grocery stores, or drug stores. They have housekeepers and other service people that do literally everything for them. They don't do laundry, or pick up their dry cleaning. They don't obtain building permits. They do whatever they want in the jurisdiction in which they live, because NOBODY is going to get on their bad side and risk being sued or losing their job. Everyone bends over backwards for them. Their children are rudely oblivious to the people that serve them. Many act out horribly. They are not happy, generous of heart families.

The bottom line: Most Billionaires don't give a rats ass about anybody or anything. Except power, and making more money. For there will never be enough.

Personally, I think many of the superwealthy have emotional and mental problems but are sheltered and excused due to their wealth and the simple danger of crossing them.

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Christy B.'s avatar

Warren Buffett is such a role model for living simply and generously. He not only lives in the house he and his wife bought way back when he also gives a free seminar every year to share his investing strategies with others though more that his long-term friend and co-investor had passed on I'm not sure what he'll do going forward. But somehow he has never lost sight of what's most important.

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Alene N.'s avatar

You nailed it.

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Greg Sanford's avatar

We will see, God willing and the creek don't rise

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marylou watson's avatar

Sobering. Sure would like to see something different to feed their selfishness

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LilyLiu's avatar

I’ve emailed my senators asking them to lift the cap on social security contributions, so it remains solvent. The rich are so f’ing greedy.

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Bryan's avatar

This was so spot on and I can see the whole thing playing out. It just confirms that we are pawns in the game unless we can find a way to make a difference in the meantime.

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David Perlmutter's avatar

"It's hilarious to watch the entitled, self-righteous assholes turn pale and start to run around in panic."

I imagine it is. I bet the folks in New York got loads of laughs watching all those stockbrokers and money men committing suicide by jumping out windows when the market crashed in 1929...

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Linda's avatar

Nobody committed suicide that day and certainly nobody jumped out of windows. That's a conspiracy theory. Everybody hurt though. But not for the same reasons.

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Sandra Tuttle's avatar

Great audio Walter.

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thanks Sandra! Some days I do a better job than others :)

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Christy B.'s avatar

I could really feel your true energy behind it and found it moving enough to subscribe. :)

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you!

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Zsolt Kohalmi The Late Harvest's avatar

Very well said Walter. To listen to your sarcastic talk is good, but it would be much better if we had to complain about the weather or that Arsenal beets Chelsea.

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Absolutely. That’s why I titled my newsletter “I’d rather be writing.” I’d be so much happier if I could leave politics behind and just create for the sake of beauty. But these are consequential times, and these are our labors. Thanks for your support Zsolt!

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Zsolt Kohalmi The Late Harvest's avatar

💪

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Christy B.'s avatar

Whoever made up that statement about power and absolute power knew what they were talking about.

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Kathy Minicozzi's avatar

Well, thanks for pointing out the truth. I hope a couple of billionaires read this.

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Linda Unger's avatar

Mackenzie Scott (Jeff Bezos' ex-wife) is giving away billions to charity. fElon called this "concerning" and I've seen articles stating that she is single handedly changing philanthropy, written with a tone of shock and awe, as if it is crazy to think someone should give away so much money, when in reality she could never spend it and she can't take it with her. Billionnaires have the power to do so much good, but unlike her, they just hoard and hoard like the dragons they are.

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Paula Dufour's avatar

I propose a new party for America. The Anti-Elon Party will be our generation's Anti-Nebraska Party. Stand with all Americans who will not allow their futures to be stolen from them by the wealthiest of Americans. They have used a slogan of MAGA. Let's Make America democratic ONCE and for ALL!

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WTH Is Going On?! Chris Berrie's avatar

If they had just paid their taxes, we would all be in a much better situation, including them. Too bad their self-destructiveness comes along with destruction of all others.

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Yolanda D.'s avatar

You told it like it is, Walter. Great job! The billionaires dictate to others everything that has to be turned on or off or worked on for anything to function in their lives. Although, Walter, I love a Carmel Machiado at times…sorry 😢

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