General Discussion

Orrex

(63,213 posts)

31. It's an exercise in distraction that attempts to hide the real issue

Mon Aug 12, 2013, 12:29 PM

Aug 2013

Last edited Mon Aug 12, 2013, 02:19 PM - Edit history (1)

According to the rules of your game, we need only find the most indigent, the most disadvantaged person in the world, and the rest of us can go screw ourselves.

The real issue is the hyper-concentration of vast wealth and the society-wide strangling effect that such concentration has upon the economy. The proposed $100 would not make a significant, longterm impact to any family in the US. The actual $38,000 could fundamentally transform the lives of a family of four.

Any call for "self reflection" in this context is patronizing and an insult.

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Highlight:

The $38,000 hand bag: if you had more money, how would your lifestyle change? [View all] hedgehog Aug 2013 OP

I could never spend that much on a pocketbook Marrah_G Aug 2013 #1

Where do you draw the line? Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #5

An expensive dinner out to me would be 100 bucks Marrah_G Aug 2013 #10

100 bucks could feed a lot of mouths Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #12

Not playing your game. Marrah_G Aug 2013 #15

Of course there is an absolute difference Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #19

It's an exercise in distraction that attempts to hide the real issue Orrex Aug 2013 #31

That's your opinion Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #57

No, it's simple math Orrex Aug 2013 #59

The point? You missed it. Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #64

No, I got it, such as it is. Orrex Aug 2013 #65

Actually, what this amounts to is YOU determining how much is appropriate for others. KittyWampus Aug 2013 #76

Bingo! Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #90

Yeah, but you use your yardstick to beat up the less wealthy person Orrex Aug 2013 #95

Uh, nope. Orrex Aug 2013 #91

Yup, now I'm sure you missed the point. Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #94

Your point isn't what you think it is Orrex Aug 2013 #97

Contradiction is not an argument either Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #99

I agree that your posts become less and less worthy of reply Orrex Aug 2013 #101

I did not say I was "just joking." Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #103

So you weren't serious in your criticism, but you weren't joking, either Orrex Aug 2013 #106

Yawn Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #110

I reply because you haven't understood my replies Orrex Aug 2013 #114

I think these are you problems, not me problems. Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #117

Yes! HangOnKids Aug 2013 #77

Most of the robber barons were also very philanthropic. avaistheone1 Aug 2013 #150

I'd like to expand on your comment by pointing out that hedgehog Aug 2013 #115

No, you've got it all wrong Orrex Aug 2013 #119

The sad fact is DonCoquixote Aug 2013 #128

wow.. $100 could go a long way for someone, and you would waste it on 1 dinner? wow.. GalaxyHunter Aug 2013 #42

$38k to Oprah is like $38k. Marr Aug 2013 #67

I hate having to explain things Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #92

Yes, I learned about fractions and ratios in the fourth grade-- thanks. Marr Aug 2013 #96

Are you sure? Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #100

What's got you so upset? Marr Aug 2013 #107

Yes, I am the one not making any sense. Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #112

Do you even know what a nominal number is? Marr Aug 2013 #123

Yes, I do know what a nominal number is and we are not talking about those. Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #127

"A bit loosely"? lol, if that pads your ego, ok. Marr Aug 2013 #129

Now you are admiting we're not talking "nominal numbers?" Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #130

Most people don't live in the United States. /nt Marr Aug 2013 #131

This is getting really silly Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #132

I don't use language, um... "loosely". Marr Aug 2013 #133

You win Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #134

Would you take a vacation? gollygee Aug 2013 #66

I'd hire someone to carry my stuff around vankuria Aug 2013 #135

I might start a business with a known designer and Whisp Aug 2013 #155

If I had that money I would use it to hire unemployed union people to fix homes for the homeless.... midnight Aug 2013 #179

It wouldn't be spending 40 grand on a purse quinnox Aug 2013 #2

Re-plumb, wire, roof, level the house, CACH, left-over toward a new car. Eleanors38 Aug 2013 #56

I'LL kick it off - hedgehog Aug 2013 #3

The dream that pipi_k Aug 2013 #17

Dreams CAN come true, mine did. ConcernedCanuk Aug 2013 #47

Just remember... Sotf Aug 2013 #62

Got a link to back that up? Marr Aug 2013 #68

Oh, this has been brought up plenty of times. And there are DU'ers who DO begrudge someone KittyWampus Aug 2013 #80

Really? Grandpa's house? HangOnKids Aug 2013 #83

I'd really need to see some proof of that. Marr Aug 2013 #88

Took my pick... Sotf Aug 2013 #136

Huh. Well, one is enough. I don't agree with that individual, and I would Marr Aug 2013 #138

Cheers... Sotf Aug 2013 #139

These are probably the same folks LordGlenconner Aug 2013 #160

The old some who think meme HangOnKids Aug 2013 #82

My father earned that money ConcernedCanuk Aug 2013 #104

My dreams don't involve anyone's death. n/t lumberjack_jeff Aug 2013 #71

I dreamed of a good life ConcernedCanuk Aug 2013 #105

Most who aren't trying to be overtly difficult knew this LordGlenconner Aug 2013 #161

I don't know how much is 'enough' shenmue Aug 2013 #4

If you had no debts, health care wasn't an issue, if you had lottery level money hedgehog Aug 2013 #6

If I had $38k? NuclearDem Aug 2013 #7

+1000 darkangel218 Aug 2013 #151

It probably wouldn't. Decoy of Fenris Aug 2013 #8

It's stupid - it's just rich people giving other rich people money. reformist2 Aug 2013 #9

PR Stunt? dbackjon Aug 2013 #111

She is a celeb with a movie coming out. Anything that gets her name in the papers. reformist2 Aug 2013 #113

But the larger point is, it happens to even high-profile minorities CakeGrrl Aug 2013 #165

I certainly wouldn't spend that kind of money on a handbag Art_from_Ark Aug 2013 #11

If I had more money abelenkpe Aug 2013 #13

Any idea what real lottery winners end up doing with their money? hedgehog Aug 2013 #14

The whole show (which did not get greenlit) abelenkpe Aug 2013 #21

Odd-- I saw a series on... Discovery, I believe... that covered exactly that topic. Marr Aug 2013 #89

The Lottery Changed My Life Bay Boy Aug 2013 #93

Wow, that was a slow motion train wreck. Fla_Democrat Aug 2013 #175

The stories can vary a lot abelenkpe Aug 2013 #149

"How much money is enough?" - That completely depends on what your goal is. demwing Aug 2013 #16

I wouldn't change my lifestyle NoOneMan Aug 2013 #18

I'd be able to see my girlfriend an marry her for a start sakabatou Aug 2013 #20

There's a nice 30+ acre plot of land I have my eye on.. opiate69 Aug 2013 #22

Is Oprah is entitled to spend that kind of money as she pleases? MrScorpio Aug 2013 #23

I agree that Oprah has done a lot of good - not only with her money but in how she earned it - hedgehog Aug 2013 #27

One thing that has always bothered me about some of the "good" things Oprah does is . . . markpkessinger Aug 2013 #61

I don't know gollygee Aug 2013 #70

She didn't "earn" it all by herself. That's the problem. NOBODY does. duffyduff Aug 2013 #37

So are you saying that she's not entitled to her personal wealth? MrScorpio Aug 2013 #52

This isn't a fair assessment gollygee Aug 2013 #69

Pay off debt and put the rest in savings. Neoma Aug 2013 #24

My lifestyle would completely change Bunnahabhain Aug 2013 #25

Well, my posts here would change dramatically... Safetykitten Aug 2013 #26

Enough to get out of debt. knitter4democracy Aug 2013 #28

if it were for sale for charity, and I had money hollysmom Aug 2013 #29

I don't know that there's ever enough. MrSlayer Aug 2013 #30

I would have: LWolf Aug 2013 #32

So you would be happy with this: hedgehog Aug 2013 #34

I would love the second picture! GalaxyHunter Aug 2013 #43

Not me! All I can think of is how much time it would take to clean the hedgehog Aug 2013 #118

Well if I had the money I would just hire someone to clean my house! GalaxyHunter Aug 2013 #120

I prefer the first one Tree-Hugger Aug 2013 #49

Of course. LWolf Aug 2013 #53

I Would Love A Handicapped Bathroom... grilled onions Aug 2013 #84

prefer the one with the toilet JI7 Aug 2013 #142

I'll be honest and say I'd buy a lot more and nicer stuff taught_me_patience Aug 2013 #33

I fantasize about... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #35

I'd build a more efficient house, not bigger, just better. Bigger tractor and welder maybe. 1-Old-Man Aug 2013 #36

Wouldn't make a dent in our medical debt and student loan debt... hunter Aug 2013 #38

I would take cruises all over the world! Probably buy my own island. GalaxyHunter Aug 2013 #39

I wouldn't blow that kind of money on a purse. noamnety Aug 2013 #40

I would buy nicer stuff laundry_queen Aug 2013 #41

This message was self-deleted by its author Waiting For Everyman Aug 2013 #44

Well.... Tree-Hugger Aug 2013 #45

Not like that... I would never want to live like the top 1%, but I'd surely like to have the money hlthe2b Aug 2013 #46

I certainly wouldn't live the lifestyle of the rich and famous... ohheckyeah Aug 2013 #48

I'd be happy with a modest home that was fun and comfortable. Ian David Aug 2013 #50

Enough for what? nt valerief Aug 2013 #51

I have a great life, and have more than I need, which is relatively little. Zorra Aug 2013 #54

I've lived on that bag for the last three years Ichingcarpenter Aug 2013 #55

I'd travel a lot BainsBane Aug 2013 #58

I am basically a hermit, not much change except I wouldn't worry about being able to pay bills, Mnemosyne Aug 2013 #60

38k is 10k more than what I make in a year as a case worker. Puzzledtraveller Aug 2013 #63

I would like to have a few mil. I would open up non kill shelters for stray dogs and cats darkangel218 Aug 2013 #72

For some people, no amount is ever adequate. lumberjack_jeff Aug 2013 #73

Do we even know she knew how much this bag cost? gollygee Aug 2013 #74

She tweeted this... Phentex Aug 2013 #143

Thank you for the tweet gollygee Aug 2013 #144

I'm sure that she thought it cost $200 like all the other bags in that store Orrex Aug 2013 #145

They probably have some that cost up to a few thousand even gollygee Aug 2013 #146

Again, though, it's amazing that she managed to hit the bullseye Orrex Aug 2013 #148

I dont buy it. I think her tweet is damage control. darkangel218 Aug 2013 #156

the time line does not work... Phentex Aug 2013 #164

Every business/public person will resort to damage control if needed. nt darkangel218 Aug 2013 #166

I'd quit my job and volunteer my work hours to make things better..... Burma Jones Aug 2013 #75

a cottage by the river elleng Aug 2013 #78

I would replace my car tabbycat31 Aug 2013 #79

I'd surprise all my employees with a new iPad and $10k each gollygee Aug 2013 #81

Not much, probably. Just would have more peace of mind about ability to pay for long-term health MotherPetrie Aug 2013 #85

I could do with more income. I find when you have to often Cleita Aug 2013 #86

I like how people say they will never change. Vashta Nerada Aug 2013 #87

I have enough Warpy Aug 2013 #98

I don't think it was change my lifestyle that much Drale Aug 2013 #102

That $38K handbag would probably fetch only 50 bucks. . . DinahMoeHum Aug 2013 #108

My god. She didn't even buy the purse. B2G Aug 2013 #109

Yes - I am offended that such a purse exists! It's a prime example of conspicuous consumption! hedgehog Aug 2013 #121

If I suddenly fell into huge money (9 figures) I would do this... jmowreader Aug 2013 #116

If I were a multi-millionaire I still would never buy clothing or accessories that cost 38 grand arely staircase Aug 2013 #122

unless the hand bag contains a genie that would grant me three wishes - I cannot see ever spending Douglas Carpenter Aug 2013 #124

This message was self-deleted by its author Adam051188 Aug 2013 #125

My cars would be restored much more quickly and my passport would Egalitarian Thug Aug 2013 #126

I would buy an electric car, have solar panels installed and maybe a windmill Rosa Luxemburg Aug 2013 #137

I'm not a "thing" person or a status person, over the years when my income has increased Luminous Animal Aug 2013 #140

Ball washer Major Nikon Aug 2013 #141

Besides the money, I just need a Volcanic Island, an underground lair, a bevy of Katashi_itto Aug 2013 #147

$38k for a leather bag while people struggle to get by LittleBlue Aug 2013 #152

A few days ago i heard on the radio that Kim Kardashian and her hubby darkangel218 Aug 2013 #153

I hope I would never be dumb enough to buy something at that price Whisp Aug 2013 #154

Right on!! darkangel218 Aug 2013 #157

I'd start out more simple Spirochete Aug 2013 #158

What is the difference between a $38,000 purse and a $500 purse? Taitertots Aug 2013 #159

It wouldn't except I would earn more interest and dividends each month. RB TexLa Aug 2013 #162

If I was rich NoPasaran Aug 2013 #163

lmao!!! darkangel218 Aug 2013 #167

I'd get that fur lined sink that I've been eying up.... n/t kiawah Aug 2013 #168

lol Liberal_in_LA Aug 2013 #174

Better vacations! Bettie Aug 2013 #169

I'd give more money to charity burnodo Aug 2013 #170

If I had more, I'd give most of it away. Th1onein Aug 2013 #171

+ 1000 darkangel218 Aug 2013 #172

We are so fortunate in that we're financially stable. phylny Aug 2013 #173

That would buy my surgery. That would be enough. glinda Aug 2013 #176

As very wealthy acquaintances of mine once said "It's never enough." Just Saying Aug 2013 #177

I'd Generously Pay Someone to Cook otohara Aug 2013 #178

Oprah's makes 38k before she finishes her frosted flakes or whatever Vinnie From Indy Aug 2013 #180

Skip the handbag and help my community Generic Brad Aug 2013 #181