Rich folk are sellfish... celebrities putting money back..?
By Ophelia
@Ophelia (88)
United States
November 24, 2007 12:14pm CST
So, I'm flipping through the channels on TV, and I come across yet another reality show, this one about Kimora Lee Simmons and her life. She's going on about how everyone loves jewelry regardless of age. I'm with her on this still...
Apparently, she produces the Hello Kitty diamond jewelry as well. Someone hands her a bag with 500 CARATS of diamonds and she drops it or something and they go everywhere!! My mouth dropped open, honestly. Can you imagine THAT many diamonds!?! I'm looking at what else she has on her "desk" and to my not-so-much surprise she has a freaking diamond STAPLER!! WHO does that!!?
My point is: Does anyone else feel like this is absurd? I mean, people who have this much money should be putting it back into their communities, right? What are you thoughts on this? It really pisses me off, personally.
3 people like this
9 responses
@raychill (6525)
• United States
24 Nov 07
Not all celebrities are like this. A celebrity like Kimora Lee Simmons, it's not surprising that she's like that. In some ways I don't feel like they should have to, because it's their life and they can do what they want. But I think the majority of people With money like that actually do a lot for the world and that's nice of them. But I don't think having money is an obligation to do anything for anyone else.
1 person likes this
@Ophelia (88)
• United States
24 Nov 07
Well, at first when I read your response I wanted to respond with "Oh, no! I don't think they should HAVE to put their money back." But then I stop and think, "Well, I still think they do have an obligation."
Anyways, point is: no, I don't think they should HAVE to be delegated on what to do with their own money that they "earn." However, I strongly do believe their is an underlying obligation to put that money back into your own environment and not only bettering it for yourself and your family but also bettering things for your neighbors, friends and community.
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
24 Nov 07
And what exactly is a moral obligation if not a personal one?
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
24 Nov 07
Hi Ophelia,
Well yeah that really does sound a bit too much! If you have that much money, you should be doing better things with it than having a diamond stapler sitting on your desk. I wonder just how many things she really staples with it! lol I mean come on! One diamond could feed thousands of kids for a day or something. Or could clean up a pretty bad neighborhood, build a park for them to play in, make improvements in a school. So much you could do with that kind of money. Its reall a shame!
Bay Lay Gray xx
@Ophelia (88)
• United States
25 Nov 07
I know, right?!? I would be afraid to use the darn stapler anyway. But did anyone hear what I said about the diamonds she dropped or knocked all over the place or whatever?? No one has mentioned it...
It was 500 CARATS diamonds!!!!!!!!!! I mean, they were still in a raw cut!! It was amazing! Is is sort of sickening to know what that money could be going to instead of "flossin" it for everyone to see and envy you.
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
24 Nov 07
Yes, to be so concerned with money and frippery is the attitude of deeply sick and greedy individuals.
all the urban
1 person likes this
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
25 Nov 07
Which is WHY I don't care for reality tv no kind of way. From Survivor, American Idol, The Jetset race for the regular wannabes, Scare factor, NONE OF IT! I think when Flava Flav did his, all bets went off. All these women going ape over an ape to me, that's pure unadulterated b.s. all day long. With that said, let's be real folks, would you or even me drop them diamonds anywhere but on the nearest appraisers table for cold cash? if you want my opinion, the jokers could have been faker than a $3 dollar bill and they have you thinking it's real. Kimora is alright with me, I'm kind of sorry she and Russell called it quits, but I admire them for keeping their beef inhouse. I feel some celebs give back, but should they ALL give back? Let's look at this another way if you please. Suppose Kimora did give someone who really deserved it an undisclosed amount of money, do you feel that that person would do the right thing with that money? or b.s. it away? would they be grateful for getting it? or probably wonder why they are so generous and what's the catch? I'll never forget Montel disclosed that he helped a man with his dream to become a songwriter and financed it, and the man didn't do squat. Now I am not saying that ALL of us would do that, but if you had a situation like that, what would you do? I feel that there should be some give back to help those who need help. No lie, to what degree is a shady area with me.
1 person likes this
@Ophelia (88)
• United States
25 Nov 07
Well, this is a good point. I think giving an undisclosed amount of money to anyone is always going to be a gamble and a risk. Oh, and I am most certain all her diamonds are real...
And if someone DOES receive a large undisclosed amount of money, I would hope they would use it to their benefit instead of just blowing it. But you can never predict what humans will do. But they would probably only be given the money if they needed it for something specific... most likely.
I never knew that about Montel... wow- and really surprised he made such a dumb mistake. I thought him to be much more intuitive.
1 person likes this
@aowaow (1516)
• Indonesia
24 Nov 07
That's the cost of PRIDE. Nothing can measure what the price of A VALUE. Sometimes too rich people had weird hobbies where lower class than him might think it's absurd think to do. That's because he can afford the money, in fact he likes it, or he had everything been through or had experienced all tastes of life. Now he wants weird things where we judge it as WEIRD. But not to him ^_^
1 person likes this
@markmiyashiro (213)
• United States
25 Nov 07
I am waiting on people like Robert Kiyosaki Rich Dad Poor Dad to send some money to his hometown, or Bette Midler, from Halawa, Michele Wei has given money to the people, and Steve Case of AOL but only to his private school from which we get Barak Obama, Punahou School, and how about Barak, no contribution to Hawaii,and perhaps the most Rich person in the world Doris Duke, only to the Hari-Khsinas, how about model Kelly Preston married to Tom Cruise, no money. George Harrison of Maui no money, Ohprah of Maui no money but money for Africa, Wrestler "The Rock" only for Samoa $10K, how about starting first from where you are from before Africa, help thy nieghbor first then help the world, begin with home then rescue the world.
1 person likes this
@Carrie26 (1587)
• United States
24 Nov 07
WHile its thier money to spend as they like it still it stupid to waste so much money on a dress,diamond stapler,ect when theier is hungary people out in this world as well alot of shelters ,etc needing donations.I wonder if sometimes they even consider how it would feel to have nothing,be hungry,or to have to check for deals on groceries etc.While not all celebrites are like that some just seem to throw thier money away.Why buy a diamond stapler when a regular one would do just fine for me.I think some celebrities as well as rich people can be materialistic and not worry about the cares in the world.If they did they might be helping out alot more.SOme just donate to charity or some organization just so they can not have to pay income taxes.Makes you wonder if some didnt have to pay taxes if thye would actually donate.?
@Ophelia (88)
• United States
25 Nov 07
You know what is sad? You are talking about celebrities paying taxes... Some are able to evade taxes- at least for a little while. I mean, not on every day purchases obviously but yeah, it's amazing the corruption that goes on in this world -- and the selfishness. I am not saying that I am a saint by any means. Just saying that I wish we ALL could just try a little harder to help others. We will eventually destroy ourselves I think. I know this is quite extreme but long down the road, we will be the dissolve of ourselves.
But yes, their are certainly those that DO help. Usually it is quite minuscule compared to what they make. Though, I always think that I could do/ donate more. I'm still trying to pay my bills though! lol
1 person likes this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
27 Nov 07
Hi Ophelia! I do agree that there are some rich folks who are selfish and instead of donating some of their money to the poor, they would rather have a diamond stapler. But maybe that diamond stapler was just a gift given to her. Besides it is their money and they can do anything they want with it. However there are rich folks who have chosen another path, they share their wealth and give back to their community and go as far as donating a lot to other needy around the world. Come to think of this, if all rich people will be generous and in their hearts they genuinely care for humanity, i think there won't be that so many hungry child in this world. Well, not only celebrities are like these but also corrupt public officials enriching their pocket too, wealthy businessmen, high paid athletes and many more. Oh, i guess i envy them for having so much wealth..hehe.. But definitely i am not envious of their character or what they have become. Just my thoughts. Take care and have a nice day. :)
@markmiyashiro (213)
• United States
25 Nov 07
I have no scientific data to say this but don't the rich profit from the poor, in other words the haves because there exist the have nots. Didn't some provide cheap labor to profit the rich? I feel the rich feel no obligation to society, they probably feel I got mine, so you get your own. They probably feel everyone is on the same playing field as them, they put on their pants just like the poor.
There is public education so everyone has a chance to make a living. And I think the rich are more concerned about paying taxes, they are looking for ways to reduce their taxes. The poor have a different mentally thean the rich, they tend to spend money foolishly and immediately, rather than delayed gratification, when people change their mind set, they begin to be rich, they make better decisions, they don't rely on the Gov't, or the lottery. Some how the poor people will find a way to be rich, they do things that the normal people don't do. I admire people who were poor and now go back to help the poor people.
@Ophelia (88)
• United States
25 Nov 07
Oh, I absolutely encourage and admire people that do go out and EARN their money- which is why I had put that word into quotations above... There's just a lot of money, in my opinion, going to waste.
Yes, there IS public education but the curricula is not the same. I grew up in a small town in Ohio and I thought everyone was learning the same things as me at the same pace. Not true. When I moved to a big city, I realized that the education inner-city youth are receiving are not, by ANY means, even equal to my country education, let alone those in suburbs, etc.
You are absolutely correct when you say the rich try to reduce their taxes- because the more you have, the more you are taxed.
AND this is not even necessarily JUST about helping the poor. I mean, even if they put the money back into their surrounding communities (and state) it would be great. I LOVE that their are American celebrities that help others in other countries. Sometimes, however, I just wonder why we don't help some of the people right next door in the same situation...?