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The Power Five => Big Ten => Topic started by: Gigem on July 08, 2025, 02:09:17 PM

Title: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: Gigem on July 08, 2025, 02:09:17 PM
Edit:  The description got cut off.  It should say:
"Joe, being the primary shareholder of his company, stands to be worth billions of dollars"
Should Joe be allowed to be a billionaire? 

Just a test.  I'd like to see where everybody falls.  If you can think of more options, I will put them down. 
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: Mdot21 on July 08, 2025, 02:18:06 PM
there should be a more equitable society and a much lower wealth inequality gap. this is irrespective to the question of should there be billionaires. i think statements such as "billionaires shouldn't exist" is something that frankly simple minded people spout.
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: MrNubbz on July 08, 2025, 02:23:25 PM
I'm a something "aire" but it's a lot less than a million
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: Mdot21 on July 08, 2025, 02:55:40 PM
I'm a something "aire" but it's a lot less than a million
yer a dirty rotten Bucknutaire ya filthy animal
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 08, 2025, 03:09:18 PM
Regardless of where you fall on the particular example you gave, it says little about the much broader question, "Should billionaires exist?"  You picked a very selective and morally charged example, and it should be noted that most billionaires don't fall into such a category.  
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: MrNubbz on July 08, 2025, 03:29:27 PM
yer a dirty rotten Bucknutaire ya filthy animal
My feelings are hurt and I'm not having fun.Speaking of filthy animals the NCAA are sure making the skunk weasels sweat
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: Gigem on July 08, 2025, 03:51:07 PM
Regardless of where you fall on the particular example you gave, it says little about the much broader question, "Should billionaires exist?"  You picked a very selective and morally charged example, and it should be noted that most billionaires don't fall into such a category. 
You're absolutely correct, but it can be said that a good amount of billionaires invent something that overall is much better for society than what existed before.  Jeff Bezos, you may not like the man but Amazon is a heck of a product.  Microsoft software is really good.  Tesla electric cars and Space X Rockets are good.  
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: bayareabadger on July 08, 2025, 04:06:45 PM
No

(I don’t actually care, I just felt like being obstinate)
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: Mdot21 on July 08, 2025, 04:13:03 PM
they should exist if they are creating entire new and innovative industries and products. think: Elon Musk. or the Google nerds. or Bezos. or Steve Jobs (RIP).

unfortunately the vast majority of newly minted billionaires every year in America on the Forbes list are people who work in private equity, hedge funds, finance- ya know just run of the mill unproductive extractive exploitative entities and industries.
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: ELA on July 08, 2025, 04:16:01 PM
I think everyone should be a billionaire.  Except people who put beans in their chili
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: Mdot21 on July 08, 2025, 04:17:02 PM
I think everyone should be a billionaire.  Except people who put beans in their chili
hey at the rate inflation has been going- we'll all be billionaires in about 20 years when our money is worthless. 
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: utee94 on July 08, 2025, 04:17:34 PM
I think everyone should be a billionaire.  Except people who put beans in their chili
Amen brutha.
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 08, 2025, 04:21:53 PM
Amen brutha.
Billionaires can afford to use whatever meat they want.

Wagyu chili for everyone!
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: ELA on July 08, 2025, 04:26:08 PM
What about chili made from billionaires?  Just to circle back
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 08, 2025, 04:27:27 PM
I ain't eating that.
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: jgvol on July 08, 2025, 04:29:05 PM
What about chili made from billionaires?  Just to circle back

(https://i.imgur.com/FO0ZiDe.png)
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 08, 2025, 04:38:47 PM
This isn't really and either/or thing to vote on.

Billionaires are inevitable in our economic system.
Also, becoming a billionaire is impossible while treating your fellow man with even average decency.  

If someone actually came up with a cure for all cancers, they'd absolutely have an ethical duty to provide it to the masses without cost being an obstacle.
But in this example, that person would have such notoriety and acclaim that they'd make a billion dollars anyway (not to mention any small income from each cancer dosage, with the millions of people who would take it across the world).  

Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: Mdot21 on July 08, 2025, 04:47:00 PM
Also, becoming a billionaire is impossible while treating your fellow man with even average decency. 
I don't think that's accurate. not every rich person is a piece of shit. a lot of them are. not all of them are.
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: MrNubbz on July 08, 2025, 05:04:46 PM
I think everyone should be a billionaire.  Except people who put beans in their chili
Ya well I fart in your general direction - so I got that going for me
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: Cincydawg on July 08, 2025, 05:15:28 PM
I was told there would be no tests. 
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: FearlessF on July 08, 2025, 05:25:03 PM
well, yer retired
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: nwms on July 08, 2025, 05:56:42 PM
a 'no' vote is envy for joe's $, dressed up as fairness.
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: FearlessF on July 08, 2025, 06:10:57 PM
I'm not sure.
say it costs Joe $100 to produce and deliver each dose.
If he charges $200 instead of $10,000, he could easily recoup his millions of investment and have a hundred million or so to live comfortable instead of making a billion

medicaid/medicare could save a few bucks
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: bayareabadger on July 08, 2025, 06:23:37 PM
I think everyone should be a billionaire.  Except people who put beans in their chili
Sell the beans, for billions. 
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: FearlessF on July 08, 2025, 06:31:39 PM
beans are the filler to increase profit margin!
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: Gigem on July 08, 2025, 06:43:57 PM
I'm not sure.
say it costs Joe $100 to produce and deliver each dose.
If he charges $200 instead of $10,000, he could easily recoup his millions of investment and have a hundred million or so to live comfortable instead of making a billion

medicaid/medicare could save a few bucks
Remember, patents expire in 20 years. 
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: Cincydawg on July 08, 2025, 07:01:10 PM
Drug companies have ways of effectively extending patent protection.  I had a short course on that way back.
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: MrNubbz on July 08, 2025, 07:03:38 PM
Remember, patents expire in 20 years.
Thought you said "patients"
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: FearlessF on July 08, 2025, 07:17:08 PM
just the few that can't afford the "Process"
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: Cincydawg on July 08, 2025, 07:20:16 PM
We have had, have, and will have billionaires.  We've always had them, at least since ca. 1890 or so.  I don't really get all the resentment.  Some of them do good things with their money.  

Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: FearlessF on July 08, 2025, 07:39:51 PM
rich folks have been despised since time began

jealousy, envy. abuse of power

Robinhood is a popular guy
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: utee94 on July 08, 2025, 08:56:51 PM
Eh.  I'm more of a Dread Pirate Roberts fan.
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: FearlessF on July 08, 2025, 08:57:54 PM
Ross Ulbricht adopted the name "Dread Pirate Roberts" as his pseudonym while running Silk Road, a dark web marketplace for illegal goods and services.
Title: Re: Should there be billionaires? A test.
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 08, 2025, 10:42:49 PM
I don't think that's accurate. not every rich person is a piece of shit. a lot of them are. not all of them are.
That's not what I said.