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Where Is Their Fair Share?

There are some very rich people spouting that they are going to make the rich pay "their fair share". Why have they not voluntarily done it then?

I say this not to blow my own horn but to make a point. When I was age 20 I decided that I would always keep what I needed to live comfortably and give the rest away. I have never been rich or even close to rich. But if some average guy like me can do it, why don't they? I suspect that they don't really mean it or they would already have done it themselves.

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helenS · 36-40, F

Why have they not voluntarily done it then?

Many rich people have. Examples: (a) retired from his day to day experiences, John D. Rockefeller donated more than $500 million dollars to various educational, religious, and scientific causes through the Rockefeller Foundation. He funded the establishment of the University of Chicago and the Rockefeller Institute, among many other philanthropic endeavors. (b) Microsoft co-founder William Henry "Bill" Gates donated $20 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; he gave away “virtually all of my wealth to the foundation” and eventually drop off the list of the world's wealthiest people altogether.

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Really · 80-89, M

https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-61424,00.html

"The original meaning of billion, established in the 15th century, was "a million of a million" (1,000,000 to the power of 2, hence the name billion), or 10 to the power of 12 = 1 000 000 000 000. ..... In 1975 Chancellor Denis Healey announced that the treasury would adopt the US billion thenceforth. Presuambly at the same time what was a billion became a trillion"

(Some countries still use the 'full size' billion.)

Really · 80-89, M

@Riverman2 I wonder who you're talking to? Myself I'm just intererted in the subject, discussing and exploring it.

Really · 80-89, M

@Riverman2

I can't generalize

Oh go ahead. Everyone else does.😆

CopperCicada · M

The rich used to do just what you describe, and society was greatly benefitted by it. The best examle was Andrew Carnegie. In 1889 we wrote The Gospel of Wealth where he called for the rich to engage in philanthropy for the benefit of society. He spent the last third of his life giving away +90% of his wealth. 350M$ in 1880's currency, 6B$ in today's currency. And today, because of the concentration of wealth, we have people worth much more than that.

Really · 80-89, M

@CopperCicada Thanks for the reference to Carnegie. He's the one I think of whenever this subject arises.

4meAndyou · F

I think, because of the good type of person you are, you fail to understand that really, really rich people and predatory criminals are not too far apart in nature.

Really, really rich people will only give money away to charities if they have a tax loophole on the other end which will result in profitability at the end of the tax year.

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

If you are lucky enough to have surplus wealth, I can think of no greater satisfaction than to give it away with no strings attached. I wish more people would take note of what Bill Gates has actually done (as opposed to the motives ascribed to him by conspiracy theorists.)

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Really · 80-89, M

@SunshineGirl My sympathies on your mother's alone situation. At least My wife & I are still together & get along most of the time 🙂. Physically she's now a bit more able than I. If/when one of us survives the other they'll have a lot to deal with although what used to look like a reasonably generous life insurance will help financially. And we have 3 competent loving kids. I never imagined being this old !! Grateful? well ..... but I'm addicted to seeing what happens next (in this world)

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@Really What a wonderful outlook on life 🙂 Thank you for your sympathies, but she is probably happier than when my dad was alive and she has four daughters to look out for her 🙂

Really · 80-89, M

@SunshineGirl

What a wonderful outlook on life

Haha; I'm really more of a pessimistic Luddite curmudgeon bu t thank you.

Budwick · 70-79, M

But if some average guy like me can do it, why don't they?

Maybe their goals are different than yours.
Maybe they don't sit in judgement of others as you are comfortable in doing.
Maybe there's any one of a million other reasons.
And most of all, giving is a PRIVATE and personal thing.
Frankly, I think it's prideful to tell others what you give.

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Budwick · 70-79, M

@Riverman2 So, I have judged you?
OK, I pointed out that you patted yourself on the back for giving.
I see my point is going no where with you.
I'm OK to drop it at this point if you are.

Riverman2 · 56-60, M

@Budwick I acknowledge that it would have been better to say " someone I know" instead of using myself as an example. You are right, it foes look like back patting. The points I am trying to make is that #1 it is possible to live with am attitude of giving what you do not need and #2 I don't really think SOME of the people are truthful when they say they want the rich to pay their fair share while they themselves amass gigantic fortunes. I could have said it better without including myself. Thank you.

Budwick · 70-79, M

@Riverman2

Thank you.

You're welcome.

BackyardShaman · 61-69, M

Tax code enforcement, it’s not saying all the wealthy abuse the system, but many do. Bringing the IRS up to date will be a much needed improvement.

Roundandroundwego · 61-69

Whenever we've formed a government, we'll make them accountable.

REMsleep · 41-45, F

I think that they simply wants laws to not favor the ultra wealthy.

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