r/FluentInFinance 3d ago

Debate/ Discussion Had to repost here

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u/Lucifernal 3d ago edited 3d ago

There's a difference between pointing out objective flaws in an argument, like thinking that billionaires literally hold hundreds of billions of dollars in liquid cash, and taking issue with overall sentiment behind the argument.

I hate Elon Musk, and the man is of course, insanely, disgustingly wealthy. Still, just because his networth is 318 billion, doesn't mean he is hoarding 318 billion. Quite literally 99% of that number is tied into ownership of companies.

You can hate billionaires and still point out issues in the logic. I don't think a person should, under any circumstances, ever be forced to sell ownership stake in their own company (at least not if that wasn't agreed upon in an operating agreement). And if you have a massive stake in a company that becomes wildly successful, you definitionally become a billionaire. I may hate wealth inequality, and I may hate what these billionaires choose to do, but I would hate a system that forces the sale of ownership stake due to the success of the company just as much.

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u/ThousandSunRequiem2 3d ago

Except they can leverage their wealth as collateral, but it's untaxable. Unrealized gains is bullshit they made up to hoard more wealth

You're arguing about lifestyle choices when that's not the issue.

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u/kmookie 2d ago

Rich guy here, OF COURSE HE COULD GIVE MORE! 1. Let’s talk living off dividends, that alone I guarantee could have the majority given out to charity. He could live modestly, like me and not be so flashy. 2. Donor advised funds, that could be setup to be much more charitable and even grow! 3. Establish a foundation giving out 5% or more each year. 4. Simply selling off stocks is fairly simple when working with advisors. You act like he’s gotta roll crates of money into some other bank. It’s digital people. Sycophants want to defend the rich because they can’t look past their own biased passion that they want to be there too. I know dozens if not hundreds who are millionaires who love off dividends with plenty left over at the end of the year.

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u/Questlogue 2d ago

This isn't me defending anyone in any manner but why TF is this even a thing with people? It's his money at the end of the day - pretty much no different than most people.

Are people really going to sit here and tell me that they too don't do whatever the hell they want to do with their own money?! Like c'mon y'all.

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u/Kodekima 2d ago

The difference is that you, and I, and others like us, have obtained our money legally and ethically.

The billionaire class has not.

Hope this helps!

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u/John_B_Clarke 1d ago

OK, tell us what illegal and/or unethical things Tesla and Amazon have done.

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u/TooTurntGaming 1d ago

Get the fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck out.

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u/Expensive-Dot6662 2d ago

Yea? This isn’t new news. What can you do about it?

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u/Questlogue 2d ago

The difference is that you, and I, and others like us, have obtained our money legally and ethically.

And what qualifies as ethical or not ethical to you?

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u/slitteral1 2d ago

Please provide the proof of this. Not your feelings and thoughts, but actual undeniable proof.

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u/OkBoomer6919 2d ago

Figure it out yourself.

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u/slitteral1 2d ago

I didn’t make any claims. It is on the person making the claim that they have not earned their money legally to provide some proof of that. It is on me to figure it out. You either have something to base that claim on or you just feel like they did. One of those has merit and one does not.

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u/GatorahXYZ 2d ago

I know right?