Billionaire Home Depot Founder Says Pope Francis Is Alienating The Rich

[Gothmog]

The one percent is unhappy with the Holy Father http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/ken-langone-pope-francis

Billionaire Home Depot founder Ken Langone has a warning for Pope Francis.

A major Republican donor, Langone told CNBC in a story published online Monday that wealthy people such as himself might stop giving to charity if the Pope continues to make statements criticizing capitalism and income inequality.

Langone described the Pope's comments about a "culture of prosperity" as "exclusionary" statements that may make some of the rich "incapable of feeling compassion for the poor."

[lunatica]

1. The Pope should stop picking on those poor billionaire victims!!!

Wahhhhhhhh!

[Siwsan]

2. Yea, because we know how protective Jesus Christ was, of the wealthy

And, isn't this the same guy who said the people who supported John Kerry were traitors?

Damn.

[SummerSnow]

3. So his solution is to stop...

giving to charities to help the poor because you don't like being criticized for not helping the poor?

[caraher]

30. Don't worry, they weren't giving to the poor

Langone is concerned that the $180 million renovation of St. Patrick's Cathedral is in jeopardy thanks to the Pope's remarks.

This was never about helping the poor...

[Kingofalldems]

4. Another Ayn Rand fan I see.

[Deep13]

5. That's kind of his job. nt

[hobbit709]

6. What's that one about a camel and a needle?

[arcane1]

7. "incapable of feeling compassion for the poor."

That's like getting mad at someone in traffic, and taking it out on their child.

What an asshole.

[sheshe2]

8. Cheese with that Whine, Ken?

[Benton D Struckcheon]

9. Hmm. So, let's see,

on one hand we have a guy repeating the doctrine of a radical rabble-rouser who threw the money changers out of the temple and said it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to make it to Heaven, and on the other hand we've got a rich guy who's uncomfortable with this.

I must be missing something. I believe that was the point, among others made by that radical guy way back when...

[benld74]

10. Cmon Ken, SHOW us your charitable deductions for the last 10 years,,,,,,,

inquiring minds and all that rubbish ya know

[bulloney]

11. See if I ever shop at HOME DESPOT, Mr. Langone.

It's the policies that you and your ilk have rammed down our throats that have led to the polarization of wealth that the U.S. currently has.

Mr. Langone's lack of vision of the big picture is the biggest reason why foreign businesses have been eating U.S. business' lunch for the past 30-35 years.

[Chrom]

12. +1000000

He attempts to blackmail the pope, everyone should boycott him. What an ass.

[Nobody You Know]

13. I want his company to stop calling me daily reminding me that the bill's late..

When I already spoke to this nice lady two days ago that the bill never arrived last month and asked them to resend the bill and waive the late fees and finance charges. And I'm hearing major complaints about the same tactics, and now I am wondering if it's already bordering on harrassment.

[frylock]

14. awwwhhhhhhh..

isn't it largely frowned upon for catholics to talk shit about the pope? like, excommunication frowned upon?

[Gothmog]

24. If a Democrat tried this, they would be denied communion

You know that the Catholic Church would retaliate if a democrat made these remarks

[fascisthunter]

15. lol.... awwwwwwwwwwwwww

[gopiscrap]

16. FUCK THE RICH

what's that saying? "Afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted!" also "It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven."

[Lizzie Poppet]

17. Aww...he's gonna take his ball and go home!

Guess what, asshole: the days of the rest of us tolerating you shitheels' pathological greed and self-centeredness are very nearly over. And you are few, we are many...

[progressoid]

18. The douche is strong with this one Obi Wan

[awoke_in_2003]

19. I have as much sympathy for the alienated rich...

as I did toward the Kim Jun Il puppet in Team America singing "I'm So Lonely"

[rhett o rick]

20. Does anyone have a contact email for him or his office? nm

[gulliver]

21. Thanks for helping in the fight to raise taxes on the rich, Ken!

Just keep talking.

[life long demo]

22. My thoughts on Mr. Langone

Langone described the Pope's comments about a "culture of prosperity" as "exclusionary" statements that may make some of the rich "incapable of feeling compassion for the poor."

So, let me get this straight, Langone said, I'm paraphrasing here, because the Pope spoke out against the culture of prosperity that MAY make rich people incapable of feeling compassion for the poor. Huh! So it's the Pope's fault now. When are we going to stop picking on the rich. They can't help it.

New Year's resolution to myself. Stop picking on the rich! Ah, no!

[madrchsod]

23. ken...the pope has more "money" than you do

[Merlot]

25. If he "stops giving to charity" then how else will he get his tax deductions?

geez, good thing to know that donating to charity is a political decision and optional - not something that affects the lives of others.

Although, to be honest, if he stopped donating to charity and paid taxes instead, the taxes could be used for things like food stamps, etc. So, go ahead, stop donating to your favorite "charity." And if by "charity" you mean some type of foundation that you set up which siphons off the cash (see rmoney and his "charities" for more info) then go ahead, follow through on your threat.

[msanthrope]

26. Eye. Needle. Camel....some shit......nt

[Vinnie From Indy]

27. He must absolutely hate that Jesus fellow.

eom

[Archaic]

28. Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand!

As said by Homer Simpson. And apropos.

[Blue Owl]

29. Isn't that rich

[BootinUp]

31. You never were capable you greedy asshole

[lonestarnot]

32. Welp poor richie rich bastard.

[BeyondGeography]

33. Does anyone have more tender feewings than uber-rich Americans?

Embarrassing.

[Marr]

34. Alienating, as in 'not idolizing'.

Our uber wealthy are unusually-- sickeningly-- spoiled. They're accustomed to not only physical luxury, but constant praise as the most important people in society. Anything other than that-- even if it's just a lull in the praise-- and they stamp their feet and start crying.

[FactBasedLifeform]

35. Offending the rich means you're doing a great job. nt

[JDPriestly]

36. Time Magazine should name that the excuse of the year for 2013.

[kelliekat44]

37. Am I alone in seeing the irony of this man's statement? nt

[workinclasszero]

38. Eat the rich

Matthew 19:24

24 And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.”

Matthew 6:24

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 6:24

24 “But, oh, the sorrows that await the rich. For they have their only happiness down here.

[Gothmog]

39. Juanita Jean has some strong words for Langone

Juanita Jean really did not like Mr. Langone's comments http://www.juanitajean.com/2014/01/02/more-holy-crap/

Oh yeah, rich people in America are way different than foreign rich people at getting camels through the eye of a needle. To begin with, very few rich people in America have camels.

Langone rips off his workers for billions of dollars and then tosses a million to a restoration project to get his name on a church, just like Jesus said to do.

I cannot wait for Langone to make his plea of calling sacrificing the poor just “one more hurdle” to Jesus. I’ve heard from moneychangers in the temple that Jesus has a bit of a temper.

And shame on Cardinal Dolan if he didn’t say, “Hey, Langone, kiss my funny red hat.”

I would have said that and I don’t even have a funny red hat.

[Cleita]

40. I'm sure the Pope is crying in his sacramental wine about

that mean remark not at all. He's probably off feeding some homeless people as I type this.