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Billion-Heirs

[b][center]All billionaires under 30 have inherited their wealth[/center][/b]
A new study finds that all billionaires under 30 possess their wealth from inheritance, rather than creating that wealth themselves. They’re the first of more than a 1,000 people due to inherent $5.2 trillion collectively.

And you can bet they’ve already got loopholes in place to avoid paying much if any inheritance tax…

I’m not against wealth inherently; if you’ve worked hard, and you’re generating social and economic value whilst getting rich, then all the power to you. But there’s something that feels wrong about an entire generation of people becoming ultra-wealthy whilst not generating any social value themselves - perhaps I’m wrong, and they’ll reinvest this money into social equality and climate solutions. But I pessimistically believe this money is destined to stay within the upper echelon, whilst the working class are left to fight over scraps after breaking their bodies across 60+ hour work weeks.

Thoughts? Am I just being jealous?

Source: https://amp.theguardian.com/business/2024/apr/03/all-billionaires-under-30-have-inherited-their-wealth-research-finds
DS1980 · 41-45, M
Inherited wealth doesn't bother me. What bothers me is the loopholes the wealthy will jump through to enable them to avoid paying fair taxes on their wealth and assets.

The poorest amongst us have no similar luxuries.

Our country (England) is set up to keep the rich as rich as possible and the poor on their a*ses; run by legalised conmen, only in it for themselves, their rich acquaintances, big businesses.

How often in every day life do we see people being paid peanuts, earning millions for their employers whilst receiving no respect or acknowledgement but unable to do anything to instigate change because we need our jobs to pay our bills?

I'm not bitter 😜
DS1980 · 41-45, M
@OctoberEyes I don't have your level of knowledge. The whole thing pisses me off so much I avoid reading articles about it and turn the TV off if Rishi Sunak's face appears on it.

Just personal experience, in a small company, the bosses here are just like every other rich person I have ever encountered - the only thing that matters to them is money, it is embarrassing.

I work in insurance - as a broker we apply administration fees - the poor client must always pay the fee (according to the bosses because this is how we earn our money). The rich clients do not like fees, therefore because they are rich, and therefore more prestigious to the bosses, do not have to pay fees and in some cases even receive a commission refund. I hate it.
OctoberEyes · 26-30, M
@DS1980 That’s always the way it goes, aye. Special dispensation for the rich, but fines for the poor. There are simply more ways for the rich to become richer than there are for the lower class to lift themselves out of poverty.

Agreed on Sunak’s face, too. Can’t wait for a Tory wipeout next election. But time will tell if the opposition can do anything differently…
DS1980 · 41-45, M
@OctoberEyes In many ways, I would love it if not a single person voted in the next election. I have no confidence in Labour making things better, but a 100% no vote from the country would send a message.
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
Today, at some point around the 100 million mark, the weath is self sustaining. They just only need to reinvest to get even more wealthy.

That's wrong all by itself. Everything above that is only even greater greed. The more above that the greater the greed.
OctoberEyes · 26-30, M
@DeWayfarer Agreed.

I’d totally be for some kind of legislation that states a percentage of inheritance above a certain threshold has to be reinvested into social equality initiatives or something.

Otherwise, they can simply pool their wealth and grow it without any value being offered elsewhere.
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
@OctoberEyes this (what I first commented) came off of Scripps news just yesterday.
Musicman · 61-69, M
I have never understood why people have so much problems with inheritance. Everyone has parents and family that passes away and leaves them something. Would you be happier if Uncle Sam took everything in taxes? My dad left me a little money and made sure I wouldn't have to pay taxes. I appreciated that. Sadly not everyone believes in climate change so some people see no need to invest in the climate. Personally I don't believe anyone has the right to tell anyone else how or what they should invest in.
Musicman · 61-69, M
@OctoberEyes I actually have a huge problem with today's generation in general. Kids have no interest in working. They want everything handed to them while they sit online and go to protests for social issues. You want to talk about contributing, this new generation contributes almost nothing.
OctoberEyes · 26-30, M
@Musicman Every prerequisite for a basic standard of living has inflated well beyond their means, and is certainly worse than anything previous generations faced. It’s not about interest, it’s about ability. Minimum wage doesn’t even cover rent, let alone food, health care, and money leftover for fun. And forget about saving for a house. Ultimately, money was worth a lot more when you were younger.

A millennial requires 4,459 hours of minimum wage work to afford 4 years of college, compared to 306 hours for previous generations. The amount of money you have to spend to obtain the qualifications or licenses to work decent jobs puts most out of reach.

If you want to address this, address inequality and wealth hoarding, which is what we’re discussing in the OP.

Also, not sure why you take issue with people protesting for social issues. That’s our right, and is often cases necessary for social change. Not sure why you’d look at that negatively. It shows people care about the world they live in, if nothing else. And it doesn’t mean they don’t work.
Musicman · 61-69, M
@OctoberEyes I partially agree with and completely disagree with the other half. Minimum wage is a joke. As soon as you raise it everything goes up. Businesses will never let you keep the raise. The only way to ever get ahead is to aspire to earn more than minimum wage. Minimum wage shouldn't be for anyone other than kids still in school looking for part time work.
Convivial · 26-30, F
There's an old saying.. The grandfather's make the wealth, the father's expand it and the sons lose it
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
MasterLee · 56-60, M
Only a jealous leftist issue.
DS1980 · 41-45, M
@MasterLee Rattled money bags? Good night sir
OctoberEyes · 26-30, M
@MasterLee It’s not that I don’t accept differing opinion, I mean I’m still conversing with you aren’t I. It’s that I don’t believe you listened to anything I said.

You said “they create jobs and invest”, but my entire point is they don’t.

Where the original billionaires created social and economic value through innovation, the inheritors of their wealth are less innovative and more guarded of their fortunes. Again, 2nd and 3rd generation billionaires, based on studies, tend to be less philanthropic and more closed with their fortunes.

When you amass huge wealth but aren’t contributing that to economical growth, the natural outcome is more inequality. Conservatives would say “reinvest in social and economic growth, and make everyone more prosperous”. Again, this idea about rising seas lifts all boats.

Surely you understand my point? This isn’t about right or left, this is about market economics, inequality and growth.
MasterLee · 56-60, M
@OctoberEyes I understand your point but you do not understand mine. We should agree to disagree.
fun4us2b · M
Some people donate and others don't. Wealthy or not, it's a personal choice, and just because they haven't, doesn't mean they won't, and perhaps their children will do something great....those are young people in that article, I bet some of them will do something good.

Life's not fair...all we can each do is the best we can.
meJess · F
Don’t blame the inheritors for the inheritance or for legally minimising their taxes. Blame the tax code and a society that in the main is self centred and does not give back when the opportunity arises.
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
@meJess [quote]the tax code and a society that in the main is self centred and does not give back when the opportunity arises.[/quote]

It got that way by the rich lobbying for it to be so.
Their wealth belonged to their ancestors and now belongs to them. It doesn't bother me.
OctoberEyes · 26-30, M
@Spoiledbrat Locking out $trillions from the economy in closed loop systems for the ultra rich is way more of a drag on the economy than welfare babies.

In fact, by not investing in growth, jobs, production, innovation etc. you create the conditions for there to be more welfare babies, and more inequality.
@OctoberEyes There will always be inequality. The money is theirs anyway.
OctoberEyes · 26-30, M
@Spoiledbrat the money is theirs, no one is saying it isn’t. I’m just pointing out the economic issues you create when the rich get richer and poor get poorer.

I’d rather not live in that world. Perhaps you feel differently.
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
It has surely always been the case that young wealthy people inherited 'their' wealth.

 
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