World's wealthy worth $37.2 trillion and give <1% to charity

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Comments

  • chadwick
    chadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    And rich people are the worst tippers as well I've heard. I mean the interest on say 10 mill annually alone...

    unreal...

    I am the tippinest fool you ever seen.
    A 20 dollar ticket/check/bill thingy is way
    worth alot more than a dollar or 2.
    I dont have a percent to go by.
    I leave way more than probably alot of ppl do.
    Even if the service was not to swell, I leave a decent tip.
    That's just my nature.
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

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  • spiral out
    spiral out Posts: 1,052
    Sorry, I didnt ask for an average. I asked a specific question aimed at the as far as I can see hypocritical posters who love to post these numbers as proof that socialism is a good idea.

    What is your obsesion with thinking that everyone who can see the faults in capitalism is there for all for socialism?

    There are faults in both and there is no crime in pointing out that capitalism is not working either.
    Keep on rockin in the free world!!!!

    The economy has polarized to the point where the wealthiest 10% now own 85% of the nation’s wealth. Never before have the bottom 90% been so highly indebted, so dependent on the wealthy.
  • Truthmonger
    Truthmonger Posts: 559
    I've always thought that real giving was more than tokenism. If you have a billion, then what's a million ? To me, giving to charity should hurt a little bit financially. But you gladly do it b/c its the right thing to do, and b/c you want to. I couldn't imagine spending millions on jewellry or other items of conspicuous consumption while someone else on the planet starved.

    I once heard Eddie say in an interview that the guys in PJ had given/generated about $10 million towards charity. Thats part of the reason why I love these guys. And its more than just the money, its a certain consciousness about the suffering of other people.
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    On a similar note, I heard of a study this week (on the radio) that showed that Americans are BY FAR the most charitable people in the world. Least charitable - France.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • jlew24asu
    jlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    is this some thread aimed at thinking we should go back to communism? or that capitalism is an evil demon? or to make people, who work hard for their money, feel guilty?

    this thread is a joke. well done! yet again.


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  • mammasan
    mammasan Posts: 5,656
    know1 wrote:
    On a similar note, I heard of a study this week (on the radio) that showed that Americans are BY FAR the most charitable people in the world. Least charitable - France.

    Good point. Americans by far are more generous with charitable contributions than any other country. This poll is on a global scale and shouldn't be used to judge the wealthy in this country.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • PaperPlates
    PaperPlates Posts: 1,745
    hippiemom wrote:
    It wasn't an average. My husband and I have a budget for charitable donations, as we have for most of our expenses, and we have given 10% for most of the past 19 years. In 2005 we went over budget, this year I wouldn't be surprised if we were a little under.

    Anyone with that kind of income who is giving less than 1% to the less fortunate is a pig.


    I agree. But this is a percentage YOU give. Many of us "common folk" probably give nothing. Just as, Im sure, many of the uber wealthy give way MORE than that %.

    I actually find the 1% thing hard to believe. If for no other reason than very wealthy people often donate HUGE sums of money just for tax reasons. Whatever their motive, surely a good chunk of them donate for tax breaks.
    Why go home

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  • inmytree
    inmytree Posts: 4,741
    quite interesting, indeed...that bullshit notion that "charity" should take care of the poor and disabled, yet those who push for "charity" often don't and won't give....

    I find if funny that some see this as a move toward socialism or communism...it simple points out that the many of the wealthy don't give...yeah, yeah, billy g and warren b. shelled out some cash....but that's two out of how many...?

    it's funny how some will defend those who need not help....yet will kick those who do...
  • inmytree
    inmytree Posts: 4,741
    I agree. But this is a percentage YOU give. Many of us "common folk" probably give nothing. Just as, Im sure, many of the uber wealthy give way MORE than that %.

    I actually find the 1% thing hard to believe. If for no other reason than very wealthy people often donate HUGE sums of money just for tax reasons. Whatever their motive, surely a good chunk of them donate for tax breaks.

    oh well then, case closed...PP says the number is wrong...so it must be...

    let's all just move on, nothing to see here....
  • deadmosquito
    deadmosquito Posts: 729
    chadwick wrote:
    Some very wealthy ppl do great things.
    But still why do they need a mansion on a hill
    so huge 15 families could live in it and never see
    each other?

    And these high dollar Italian sports cars.
    That is nuts, I M O.
    Get me in a Ferrari, or Lamborghini.
    I'd run that bastard thru a cornfield,
    throttle hammered.
    Laughin my ass off to.
    Set a brick on it's throttle and blow the motor.
    That would be the funniest damn thing.

    what's wrong with having a big house or an expensive car if you can afford it? if you give to charity, by donating time and/or money that's great and you should be glad that you do it. but also, you should be proud that you have been successful, and if that means treating yourself to some nice things, what's the harm in it? plus, someone had to build those homes... sell the materials... make the materials... etc. the people and business who perform those services employ lots of people who all profit from the whole thing. when it comes down to it, a person's money belongs to that person. he or she can do whatever he or she wants to do with it. hopefully that includes helping other people out through charity, but even if it doesn't, who are you to judge them for it? it's theirs, not yours.
  • Pacomc79
    Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    But how much did they invest creating jobs for all of the rest of us?

    If it's not just shoved in a mattress, you can bet someone is better off because of it?


    From CEO's of companies to the gardeners outside of thier mansions, someone is benifiting from that wealth. It's not simply horded. Much of those numbers are speculative anyway, it's not like they can go to the bank and get 37M in crisp dollar bills.

    No way I'll ever own a ferrari, but I imagine a great number of very skilled craftspeople in Modena are pleased to build such exquisite cars for a living, whether or not the people who buy them are worthy of owning such a fine piece of craftsmanship.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • hailhailkc
    hailhailkc Posts: 582
    Abortion? Leave me alone, it's my body, my choice.

    Drugs? Legalize them, we should be truly free and have a choice to use them if we desire.

    God? Don't force that down my throat.

    Other peoples money? Well…they should spend it the way WE think they should spend it…or they're greedy pigs!!!!!!!!!!!



    Funny how you guys get so involved with other peoples money, but you're so hands off about everything else. I wonder who the real greedy bastards are sometimes.
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  • mammasan
    mammasan Posts: 5,656
    The top 3% of America's wealthiest contribute 2/3 of charitable donation in this country. I would say that the wealthiest people in this country are doing a hell of a lot of good with their money.

    http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=20262
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • jlew24asu
    jlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    hailhailkc wrote:
    Abortion? Leave me alone, it's my body, my choice.

    Drugs? Legalize them, we should be truly free and have a choice to use them if we desire.

    God? Don't force that down my throat.

    Other peoples money? Well…they should spend it the way WE think they should spend it…or they're greedy pigs!!!!!!!!!!!



    Funny how you guys get so involved with other peoples money, but you're so hands off about everything else. I wonder who the real greedy bastards are sometimes.

    well said. where have you been for those previous 14,000 posts??
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    know1 wrote:
    On a similar note, I heard of a study this week (on the radio) that showed that Americans are BY FAR the most charitable people in the world. Least charitable - France.

    I'm having trouble locating a complete link, but I need to correct this in that France is technically not last. They are just very far down the list.

    The other thing that I came across is that not only is America first, but they give more than twice what the second place nation does.

    Apparently this was a study out of Indiana University and was based upon percentage of GDP.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    hailhailkc wrote:
    Abortion? Leave me alone, it's my body, my choice.

    Drugs? Legalize them, we should be truly free and have a choice to use them if we desire.

    God? Don't force that down my throat.

    Other peoples money? Well…they should spend it the way WE think they should spend it…or they're greedy pigs!!!!!!!!!!!



    Funny how you guys get so involved with other peoples money, but you're so hands off about everything else. I wonder who the real greedy bastards are sometimes.

    Well said!
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • inmytree
    inmytree Posts: 4,741
    hailhailkc wrote:
    Abortion? Leave me alone, it's my body, my choice.

    Drugs? Legalize them, we should be truly free and have a choice to use them if we desire.

    God? Don't force that down my throat.

    Other peoples money? Well…they should spend it the way WE think they should spend it…or they're greedy pigs!!!!!!!!!!!



    Funny how you guys get so involved with other peoples money, but you're so hands off about everything else. I wonder who the real greedy bastards are sometimes.

    so, since you say "we" can't say anything about the wealthy not giving to charity, "you" won't say anything about abortion, drugs, and god...

    sounds like a fair deal to me...all or none....me likeey...
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    inmytree wrote:
    so, since you say "we" can't say anything about the wealthy not giving to charity, "you" won't say anything about abortion, drugs, and god...

    sounds like a fair deal to me...all or none....me likeey...

    I don't think he's cutting a deal...I think he's pointing out hypocrisy.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • mammasan
    mammasan Posts: 5,656
    inmytree wrote:
    so, since you say "we" can't say anything about the wealthy not giving to charity, "you" won't say anything about abortion, drugs, and god...

    sounds like a fair deal to me...all or none....me likeey...

    The problem with that is that the wealthy are donating to charities, in this country they are. Check out the link I posted. A few paragraphs down it states that recent studies show that the tops 3% of American's contribute 2/3 of all private charitable contributions in this country. Secondly a study, I have a PDF of the study if anyone wants it, states that individual Americans donated 71 billion dollars in 2004 to foreign charities alone. That is 2.5 times more than our government gave out in foreign aid for the same year.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • inmytree
    inmytree Posts: 4,741
    know1 wrote:
    I don't think he's cutting a deal...I think he's pointing out hypocrisy.

    as was I....