How Rich Is Too Rich?

United States
May 6, 2012 11:51pm CST
I read all kinds of stories on the internet about people who spend fortunes on material possessions, and I know for a fact people starve to death on the street everyday. Just because a person is wealthy and is able to purchase a quarter million dollar car does it give them a right to, when people are starving to death on the street. How rich is too rich?
2 people like this
12 responses
• United States
8 May 12
I don't think it's my place to ever tell someone what to do with their own money. True, someone might look spoiled and selfish when they buy an expensive car, but I don't think it's my place to say they shouldn't have money if that's how they choose to spend it. Bill Gates has billions, and he has plenty of material possessions. He also gives a substantial amount to charity. Am I supposed to judge him because he didn't give it all away and he spent lots on himself rather than others? I don't think there's such a thing as 'too rich', only people with hearts corrupted by their love of money and material things. But having things and being greedy don't walk hand in hand.
1 person likes this
• United States
8 May 12
I will concede your point. I know for a fact that Bill Gates is trying to combat world hunger as shown by his Twitter feeds. It was a relief to me to know not all rich people were corrupt, but for every Bill Gates, there is a selfish greedy troll who would rather bury his money in his coffin than to see it go to good use.
@tiffnkeat (1673)
• Singapore
7 May 12
We the poor people often try to relate to the good causes money can do. But I guess if we (meaning you or I) happen to get rich one day, some day, how can we be sure we don't end up as extravagant as them? We can assure in here all we want, but can we really be so sure? I am certain some of the new "rich" often think nobility before they were rich, then something just happen and this is what we see of them. I may be wrong in my assessment, so bear with me.
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
7 May 12
No, the rich do not make the money they have alone, rather the money made is by the whole factory, firm or whatever. This could be heaven for everyone if it were not for the greedy all the best urban
@urbandekay (18278)
8 May 12
Yes, well said all the best urban
• United States
8 May 12
That seems to be the point that most rich people don't get. You achieved your success through other people, and rightfully you are responsible to do more to help society since you used people to get your riches.
@yel812 (174)
7 May 12
Most of the rich people doesn't became rich so easily. They work hard for it, they got knowledge and perseverance and guts to reach where they are, on the contrary you are right. Perhaps some rich people should value other people's life and think about them,they should not be so greedy. They should learn how to help other people specially those who are very poor and people who die because of starvation.
• United States
7 May 12
I agree a person who works hard for their money should be entitled to enjoy it as they see fit, but there are many rich people who have earned their money through the exploitation of other people and have never put in a days work in their life.
@yel812 (174)
8 May 12
You are also right about that, I just don't understand why there are so man bad people in this world. I wish they just die. xD
• United States
8 May 12
Unfortunately people like this thrive in the world, because there are too many people who accept that behavior.
• Philippines
8 May 12
how rich is too rich? i think the better question is whats the point in being rich if they cant even do anything about the poor. I too think its sad how the rich spend so much on luxuries while the poor work so hard just to put meat on the table...
• United States
8 May 12
Exactly. With vast amounts of money you have the ability to help make a difference, so why are things getting worse and worse.
@Suebee (2013)
• Canada
7 May 12
Of course it gives them the right to! Everybody has the right to spend their money in whatever manner they choose. How rich is too rich? Does anybody REALLY have enough money?
• United States
7 May 12
Suebee the question wasn't meant in the literal sense, but more as a wake up call. I know I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing someone was going hungry and I had just spent millions on a diamond collar for my poodle. I think there are people who have too much money.
1 person likes this
@Suebee (2013)
• Canada
7 May 12
But are the financially rich not entitled to do what they want with their money? There are some people who share their money, donate to charities or whatever and still have lots left over to buy their dog a diamond collar. In any society the division of financial wealth is never going to be spread equally. I've worked all my life, since I was 16 years old. I am by no means what others would consider rich. However, at the end of the week if I have money left over from my paycheck does that mean I should give it to someone else? Someone who has never worked a day in their lives? (and I do know people my own age who have never worked, relied on the social welfare system and expect handouts) Am I not entitled to do whatever I want with my money without being judged by someone who has less? Do my taxes not go to help those who are living off the system? Can one assume that rich people do not help the less financially fortunate. Do the rich not help by owning companies that generate jobs for people? I find it odd that people in general assume that all financially rich people do not care or help others who are less well off financially. I find it strange that people are so quick to judge people with money and assume they must be rotten or stingy or bad people for having it. Some rich people have worked very hard to get where they are. It is my personal opinion that one should not be so quick to judge others on the basis of how much money they have. Rich people cannot eliminate poverty. The financially poor people themselves are the only ones who can do that.
• United States
7 May 12
You show me a rich person who can afford to do the things I have mentioned, and I'll show you a person who has earned their wealth through the exploitation of others. Exploitation is the one thing that most people have in common. I feel if you can take more and more from the blood sweat and tears from men that you also have more of an obligation to make sure people don't starve on the street.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
7 May 12
i have watched those lottery shows that show different millionaires in the US and the sometimes stupid stuff they spend their money. i have to agree with you. i think people with great fortunes have great responsibility.
• United States
7 May 12
It a shame to see the wastefulness of it all. I admit for someone to have nothing then to suddenly come into money the temptation is great but a little compusure and compassion are in order.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
7 May 12
Some rich people donate money to charity and some rich people only spend their money on expensive material things. Of course it is people's own decision how they want to spend their money, but personally I find it hard to understand rich people who only spend their money on material possessions. The average person it is not able to spend that much money on charity because the money that is left when you have paid your rent, your bills and the other expenses is relatively limited. It is much easier for a rich person to make a difference and help people who are less fortunate, and I know that I would do that if I were rich. I already give money to charity, but I would like to increase the amount of money, because there are a lot of poor people in the world.
• United States
7 May 12
The most common argument I hear from anyone is well off is that they earned the money therefore they have the right to spend it is they see fit, but when you have amassed that kind of wealth, you at some point control the destiny of others.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
7 May 12
That is really an extremely interesting question, as there are people who are careful with a lot of wealth and there are people who squander even a moderate wealth. I think that when you have more money than you can handle and feel the need to make purchases that technically speaking you don't need, but you buy things because you can, then that might be a bit too rich. I think that in the end, it is down to the actual person and what they do with their wealth. It is a shame people are starving, but even if every rich person lends a little, there will still be people out there that are starving. There needs to be a proper amount of balance and there will always be someone less fortunate. However, the saddest part is that there are more people who are less fortunate every year out there. And those who are rich get richer and spend that money.
• United States
7 May 12
I think it's an illusion that is created by wealthy people. On the surface they paint themselves as philanthropist, but for every dollar they give they make sure they get 5 dollars back. Once you are rich enough that society is financially dependent on you then you are too rich.
• Philippines
7 May 12
Financial advisers says that you are rich if you can still maintain your luxurious life even if you will not work.That means you already have passive income and your money works for you.Maybe you are too rich if you can give away millions and you can sleep well without thinking about it.It's really sad if you'll think about the gap between the rich and poor.Some people are suffering while others are enjoying but we can't do anything about it.Maybe we can just help the poor in our own way and make a little difference to someone's life.
• United States
7 May 12
It is a real shame, and you are right it is up to us who are aware of the problem to try to help. Maybe we can collectively guilt the rich into doing a little more.
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
7 May 12
I don't think one can be too rich. It's not about being too rich but about what you do with your money. If you have plenty and still gather more because the only thing you want is to have more and more I think there is something seriously wrong. There will always be poor people, also there will always be people who have less and still are able to give a lot to others (even if nobody is rewarding them).
• United States
7 May 12
I think there is something wrong with that mentality as well. Even in games where part of the object is to accumulate money, once I have enough to purchase what ever I need my focus becomes on accomplishing other things.
@mikyung (2232)
• Philippines
7 May 12
It really saddens me that there are people just putting their money in to waste while their are homeless and starving people around. I believe that there are still a number of rich people willing to share their wealth. We cannot totally depend on our government to support those people. I guess, we need more of those rich people that exercises the true meaning of being rich - by sharing a part of their earnings to those underprivileged folks.
• United States
7 May 12
I believe this is needed as well.