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Compassion for the 1%
Topic Started: Oct 28 2011, 01:05 PM (2,266 Views)
Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
Aqua Letifer
Oct 28 2011, 04:15 PM
QuantumIvory
Oct 28 2011, 03:44 PM
Is the guy that owns this house extremely wealthy? No doubt about it.

Is he also creating wealth for a large number of others who wouldn't have had as much money had he not built this house? Damn right.
1) How do you know that the money they receive from working there isn't a drop in the bucket when compared to the workers' cost of living?
2) The job's temporary.
3) How do you know none of the crew employed were illegals?

Quote:
 
Greed is an amorphous term that has no meaning.


That's interesting. Do you also shrug off the other capital vices such as wrath, sloth and lust or do you just like to cherry-pick what you like and what you don't?
Two words for ya:

1. Democrats

2. Yachts

Get back to me on that one....
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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kathyk
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Pisa-Carp
The more I read about this, the more compelling it becomes. Here's the lovely couple. She married him, no doubt, for the magnetic attraction. Meo-rrrrrrrow! Or,maybe (judging by the flag) for her country.
Posted Image

And here are a couple of her happy children for whom that 8,000 sqare foot family theater was so important.

Posted Image

Whoa! Those do not look like very happy kids - notice the dark circles under the eyes. Hmmm, maybe money can't buy happiness after all.

Posted Image

But, here's a picture of the whole big happy family. Never mind that Siegel guy with all the money - he's just not all that photogenic. Haha, and looks like two or three of em in the back are gonna be teenage handfuls. Sigh -I feel sorry for those kids.


Edited by kathyk, Oct 28 2011, 06:22 PM.
Blogging in Palestine: http://kksjournal.com/
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
That is just the fvcking stupidest post ever.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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kathyk
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Pisa-Carp
Glad you liked it! That's just about the stupidest fckin family ever. Just shows that money don't buy everything.
Blogging in Palestine: http://kksjournal.com/
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kathyk
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Pisa-Carp
People like this, imo, are on par with the Gaddafis of the world. The only difference is, they don't have the unfettered power. It's totally obscene to spend money like they do and do bring children into the world thinking that that is just the way life is.
Blogging in Palestine: http://kksjournal.com/
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Improviso
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HOLY CARP!!!
"Mom, what are all these strangers doing on our internet forum?"
Identifying narcissists isn't difficult. Just look for the person who is constantly fishing for compliments
and admiration while breaking down over even the slightest bit of criticism.

We have the freedom to choose our actions, but we do not get to choose our consequences.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Who the hell are you to tell them how to live? He made his money in perfectly legal ways, offering a legitimate product at a profit that people did not have to buy.

Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
kathyk
Oct 28 2011, 06:25 PM
People like this, imo, are on par with the Gaddafis of the world. The only difference is, they don't have the unfettered power. It's totally obscene to spend money like they do and do bring children into the world thinking that that is just the way life is.
Every time I think you have pegged out the stupid meter, you manage to astound and amaze me.

It's one thing to earn your money legally. It's quite another to take over a country in a coup d'etat and keep the public coffers for yourself.

The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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QuantumIvory
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Aqua Letifer
Oct 28 2011, 04:15 PM
QuantumIvory
Oct 28 2011, 03:44 PM
Is the guy that owns this house extremely wealthy? No doubt about it.

Is he also creating wealth for a large number of others who wouldn't have had as much money had he not built this house? Damn right.
1) How do you know that the money they receive from working there isn't a drop in the bucket when compared to the workers' cost of living?
2) The job's temporary.
3) How do you know none of the crew employed were illegals?

Quote:
 
Greed is an amorphous term that has no meaning.


That's interesting. Do you also shrug off the other capital vices such as wrath, sloth and lust or do you just like to cherry-pick what you like and what you don't?
1) I don't know, but the fact that they freely choose to work there indicates it's probably not a "drop in the bucket".

2) Many workers (particularly those who are self-employed) have a series of "temporary" jobs. So what?

3) What do illegals have to do with anything? I said the guy building the house is creating wealth. I don't recall mentioning the nationality of the people taking advantage of it.

And as far as the seven deadly sins argument goes, I'm afraid I'm gonna disappoint you, AL. I'm a deist and don't adhere much to biblical admonitions. (Much to the disappointment of many of my conservative friends here.)
"I regard consciousness as fundamental. We cannot get behind consciousness." -Max Planck

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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
Mikhailoh
Oct 28 2011, 06:28 PM
Who the hell are you to tell them how to live? He made his money in perfectly legal ways, offering a legitimate product at a profit that people did not have to buy.

Who are you to tell me who I can and cannot laugh at?

Ridiculously wealthy Americans without any discernible taste have been a staple for British comedians for about 200 years.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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kathyk
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Pisa-Carp
You assume the money was made legally. Even if it was, this should be enough to make anyone question whether unfettered capitalism is a sound system. This sort of unfettered, conspicuous consumerism is enough to spawn another Stalin or Hitler - never mind Qadaffi.

And Copper, as to your contention that this was somehow motivated by their charitable inclinations, let's do the math. The ballroom was 7,200 of the 90,000 sq.. taking that figure, and not even counting the 10 or so bathrooms that would be used in connection with it, and the total price of $100 million, the cost of the ballroom alone would be $800,000. Hmmm - I wonder how many charitable balls it would take to recoup that. It sounds to me like the family would be the first charity in line for the donations.
Blogging in Palestine: http://kksjournal.com/
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Horace
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HOLY CARP!!!
kathyk
Oct 28 2011, 06:52 PM
You assume the money was made legally. Even if it was, this should be enough to make anyone question whether unfettered capitalism is a sound system.
America doesn't have unfettered capitalism. (As far as I know, no other country does either.) Anybody want to make a case for repealing antitrust laws?

I know there would be many who would make a case for not making them if they didn't exist.
As a good person, I implore you to do as I, a good person, do. Be good. Do NOT be bad. If you see bad, end bad. End it in yourself, and end it in others. By any means necessary, the good must conquer the bad. Good people know this. Do you know this? Are you good?
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
As long as the average person can aspire to become rich, and succeed through hard effort, it is impossible for his society to birth a dictator.
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Do you have any information to prove it was not? These people are not bootleggers or mobsters that have to conceal their wealth. When you give up yours to benefit others you might have credibility. But as of now you are just a couple of lawyers with a nice home and a pool out back that could have fed the poor. But then of course it's not you - it's the 'rich', isn't it?

Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Here's just one example of what the wealthy you so like to villify do:

Quote:
 
Central Florida Investments (CFI)/Westgate Resorts – The Westgate Foundation raises $2.5 million each year for the support of more than 100 charitable organizations. In addition, Westgate has an employee foundation that assists staff members through every sort of trauma, such as bereavement, serious illness, long-term disability and family crisis. The company pays 100 percent of the foundation’s administrative costs so that all donations go toward helping their employees in need. Westgate’s Founder, President and CEO David Siegel, himself, provides a role model for employees, timeshare owners and vendors who wish to participate in the foundation by playing a significant part in its activities, himself. Siegel’s personal story is an amazing example of the difference a charitable act can make. (See the sidebar, “David Siegel: A Thanksgiving To Remember.”)



And here's that sidebar. Here are the people you want to villify and steal their property.


Quote:
 
David Siegel: A Thanksgiving to Remember

In 1961, the Siegel household was a happy place. An entrepreneur by nature, David Siegel had started a good business, a top-of-the-line Buick and a brand, new house. His wife was expecting their first child and the young couple were hopeful about their bright future. The very same day his son was born, Siegel was called up by the Air Force Reserves. The Cold War was heating up in earnest and the Soviet Union had begun building the Berlin Wall in August of that year. When President Kennedy ordered substantial increases in American intercontinental ballistic missile forces, Siegel was required to put his life on hold to answer the call and spent 1962 in the service of his country.

By the time he returned, his business was gone, the car had been repossessed and he had lost his new house. David gathered his resources, borrowed some money and founded a new business in 1963. Within six months, he was doing even better than before and his wife was expecting their second child. The Siegel family was heading back to the top of the world as they welcomed the birth of their daughter.

But then, the next day, a customer came into his store and shot and killed David’s manager. Deeply disturbed at the loss of his friend and business associate, Siegel closed his doors while he tried to recover from this blow. A few months later, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Siegel was plunged into a deep depression.

He is still emotional when he describes his Thanksgiving that year. “Kennedy had just been shot on November 22. I had lost not only my business, but a good friend. I just wanted to crawl under the covers and stay in bed. I’d lost my drive,” he explains.

“We were living in a rented house and were in the process of getting evicted. The power had been shut off. My wife was using a can of Sterno to heat up our daughter’s formula. We had really reached the bottom when a friend of mine called and asked, ‘What are you doing for Thanksgiving?’ When I told him I had no plans, he invited us over to his house for dinner. That was the best dinner in my life,” his voice is choked with emotion even to this day.

The experience helped him to overcome his depression and he marks it as a turning point. From there, he went on to create another business. After riots in Miami surrounding the Republican Convention of 1968 destroyed still another of his businesses, he moved to Orlando where he entered the real estate market and eventually started in the timeshare business. And the rest, as they say, is history.

When asked about the current tough economic times which are threatening his business, he remarks on the positive aspects coming out of the crisis. “As a result of the tightening credit market, we’ve trimmed a lot of fat. In a way, success leads to complacency. Now, we’re getting lean and mean,” he comments. “When the credit markets reopen, we’ll be even more successful than before.”

“I never worry about going out of business,” he observes. “Whatever happens, I’m hopeful that there is still a good future for the 9,000 people who work at Westgate. I don’t worry about myself, personally, but there are too many people depending on my company for their livelihood.”

Perhaps better than anyone, Siegel recognizes that the pathway dictated by providence or fate is not always smooth. “When you finally get to where you want to be,” he comments, “it’s not just the good things that got you there, but the bad things, too.”


.

Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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MIke Godwin
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kathyk
Oct 28 2011, 06:52 PM
This sort of unfettered, conspicuous consumerism is enough to spawn another Stalin or Hitler - never mind Qadaffi.
Thread closed.

You're all done.

Good night.

Now behave, it's the law, you know.
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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
Finally, someone with a bit of sense. Apart from me, obviously.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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Copper
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Shortstop
kathyk
Oct 28 2011, 06:52 PM


And Copper, as to your contention that this was somehow motivated by their charitable inclinations,

Where did you get a screwball idea like that?

The story reminded me that Mr. Biden gives about $300 per year to charity. How many years would it take Mr. Biden to equal just one charity ball?

The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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George K
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Finally
John D'Oh
Oct 28 2011, 07:07 PM
Finally, someone with a bit of sense. Apart from me, obviously.
:lol2:
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garrett2
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kathyk
Oct 28 2011, 06:52 PM
And Copper, as to your contention that this was somehow motivated by their charitable inclinations, let's do the math. The ballroom was 7,200 of the 90,000 sq.. taking that figure, and not even counting the 10 or so bathrooms that would be used in connection with it, and the total price of $100 million, the cost of the ballroom alone would be $800,000. Hmmm - I wonder how many charitable balls it would take to recoup that.
For the sake of math:

400 guests per charitable ball.
If each guest donates $100, then
$40,000 per ball. So:
Would need to have 20 events to break even.


Doesn't seem too terribly outlandish.
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Luke's Dad
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Emperor Pengin
garrett2
Oct 28 2011, 07:18 PM
kathyk
Oct 28 2011, 06:52 PM
And Copper, as to your contention that this was somehow motivated by their charitable inclinations, let's do the math. The ballroom was 7,200 of the 90,000 sq.. taking that figure, and not even counting the 10 or so bathrooms that would be used in connection with it, and the total price of $100 million, the cost of the ballroom alone would be $800,000. Hmmm - I wonder how many charitable balls it would take to recoup that.
For the sake of math:

400 guests per charitable ball.
If each guest donates $100, then
$40,000 per ball. So:
Would need to have 20 events to break even.


Doesn't seem too terribly outlandish.
I'm sure the donations are more than $100.00
The problem with having an open mind is that people keep trying to put things in it.
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Luke's Dad
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Emperor Pengin
kathyk
Oct 28 2011, 06:52 PM
This sort of unfettered, conspicuous consumerism is enough to spawn another Stalin or Hitler - never mind Qadaffi.

Are you seriously trying to use Stalin and Hitler as examples of what could happen when consumerism and capitalism go wrong? Seriously? Kathy, you do realize that they were both socialists, right? And your spiel in this entire thread sounds exactly like what we would have read in pamphlets floating around pre-WW2 Germany.
The problem with having an open mind is that people keep trying to put things in it.
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garrett2
Junior Carp
Luke's Dad
Oct 28 2011, 07:32 PM
I'm sure the donations are more than $100.00
Well, I didn't take into account additional expenses associated with each event (food, drinks, etc.). As a general point, I would expect that the average "profit" per guest would be at least $100, and most likely much higher.
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Axtremus
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HOLY CARP!!!
Would be a lot more efficient to just give the money without bothering with a ball, don't you think?
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garrett2
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Axtremus
Oct 28 2011, 07:49 PM
Would be a lot more efficient to just give the money without bothering with a ball, don't you think?
Efficient for the family? Probably.

Most profitable for the charity(s), in the long run? No.

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