Over 200,000 subscribers fleeing the Washington Post after Jeff Bezos intervened to block a Harris endorsement reflects a chilling sentiment in our society about the role of billionaires in democracy. It raises vital questions about the independence of our media and who truly pays the price when such powerful figures wield their influence. Watching this unfold has led me to confront my own beliefs about the power dynamic at play between wealthy individuals and the institutions we rely on for unbiased information.
My own relationship with the Washington Post began a few years ago, when I sought a news outlet that seemed dedicated to reporting rather than just chasing ratings or pandering to political extremes.… Continue reading
Democracy dies in cowardice, and the events surrounding Jeff Bezos’s decision to kill a Washington Post endorsement encapsulate this reality in stark relief. The audacity with which billionaires can stifle a crucial part of our democratic process is chilling. When a prominent publication drafts an endorsement for a presidential candidate, only for its billionaire owner to intervene and censor it, we are reminded how delicate our democratic fabric truly is. The very idea that Bezos would sit on this power, fearing backlash from an authoritarian figure like Donald Trump, speaks to a fear that ought not to exist in a leader of a free press.… Continue reading
Elon Musk, the famed billionaire behind Tesla and SpaceX, recently made headlines by expressing his excitement about potentially working in Trump’s White House. As someone who has already dipped his toes in the political arena by serving on Trump’s tech council, Musk seems eager to dive back into the world of government. This, naturally, raises concerns and eyebrows among many of us who are skeptical of billionaires wielding power over policy decisions.
The idea of another wealthy mogul influencing the direction of our country is unsettling, to say the least. The notion that someone with immense wealth and influence can simply buy their way into political positions is a testament to the flaws in our political system.… Continue reading
As I sat down to watch the DNC and heard the scathing remarks made by JB Pritzker about Donald Trump, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Pritzker’s comment, “Take it from an actual billionaire, Trump is rich in only one thing: stupidity,” was like a breath of fresh air in a political landscape filled with rhetoric and half-truths. It cut through the noise and hit the nail on the head.
Let’s face it, Trump’s supposed wealth has always been a point of contention. Mark Cuban’s comment about Trump being worth more than a billion dollars only if he were paid to wipe someone’s bottom resonates with a sentiment shared by many.… Continue reading
Billionaire Mark Attanasio stands accused of stealing sand from Broad Beach in Malibu for his personal use in a construction project. As someone who has witnessed the consequences of the relentless greed and entitlement displayed by the ultra-wealthy, this news doesn’t come as a surprise. It seems that for some billionaires, the rules simply don’t apply. Attanasio’s actions, facilitated by his construction team, are not only a violation of public natural resources but also a blatant disregard for the environmental impact on marine life in the area.
The fact that someone with the financial means to purchase vast quantities of sand would resort to such illegal and unethical practices is a clear reflection of the moral bankruptcy that often accompanies extreme wealth.… Continue reading
The news of a luxury heir claiming his $13 billion Hermès fortune has vanished is a shock to many, including myself. It’s hard to wrap my head around how such a vast sum of money could simply disappear over a couple of decades. The fact that the alleged fraud was undetectable to common mortals adds an air of mystery to the situation.
While I may not be the most sympathetic towards billionaires, it does raise questions about the level of trust placed in financial advisors and the risks involved in giving them complete discretion over accounts. Signing blank documents and handing over control of bank accounts seems like a risky move, one that ultimately led to the loss of billions of dollars.… Continue reading
Elon Musk, the once-respected figure behind companies like Space X, StarLink, and Tesla, seems to have taken a turn for the worst. With his recent public attempts to recruit his billionaire peers to the Trump-Vance camp, Musk is openly delving into the realm of politics in a way that leaves a sour taste in many people’s mouths. It is quite baffling to see someone who was once celebrated for his innovative work in technology now aligning himself with the divisive and destructive agenda of Trump and his cohorts.
The fact that Musk is openly trying to influence the Presidential elections by throwing his support behind Trump and Vance is not only concerning but also disappointing.… Continue reading
Ultra-rich entrepreneurs threatening to desert Britain over tax? Let them go. It’s time for countries to call the bluff of these individuals who believe they can dictate terms based on their wealth. The idea of the ultra-rich fleeing to tax havens like Switzerland or Singapore should not deter policymakers from implementing fair tax policies. These billionaires rely on the infrastructure and resources of the countries they operate in, so they can’t simply up and leave without consequences.
The argument that these individuals contribute to society by driving up home prices and funding high-end services that benefit only themselves is flawed. The accumulation of extreme wealth often comes hand in hand with corruption and exploitation.… Continue reading
As I read about Bernie shredding billionaires backing Trump for their preference for an oligarchy over democracy, it struck a chord within me. The idea that these ultra-rich individuals would rather give up the principles of democracy just to safeguard their wealth and power is not only troubling but also a grim reminder of the dangerous path we are heading towards.
The fact that billionaires are so fixated on maintaining their riches that they are willing to sacrifice the very foundation of democracy speaks volumes about the toxic grip of greed and self-interest that has clouded their moral compass. They have become so entrenched in their wealth and power that they have lost touch with the realities faced by the average American.… Continue reading
As the news of G20 ministers proposing a minimum 2% wealth tax for the world’s billionaires circulates, it sparks a crucial conversation on the fairness of wealth distribution and tax obligations for the ultra-rich. The idea of taxing the wealthiest individuals may seem like a straightforward solution to address economic disparities, but the implementation of such policies presents a myriad of challenges and potential consequences that demand careful consideration.
One of the primary concerns raised is the possibility of billionaires relocating to countries with more favorable tax environments, leading to a loss of revenue for their home countries. The case of France serves as a cautionary tale, where the implementation of the wealth tax resulted in a significant exodus of millionaires, ultimately leading to a net outflow of wealth and a negative impact on the country’s economy.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood