Do you think billionaires ever feel like this?

[OldBaldy1701E]

49. Yes, they do. Which does not speak well of lawyers and accountants, to be honest.

Then, there is this:

After all, wealthy people do occasionally make generous (tax-free) gifts to benevolent causes.

Yes, they do. But, it costs them nothing to do it. Hell, in some cases, the rich person is not the name on the freaking check. It was signed by whatever shell company they are using at the time. Sometimes the rich person doesn't even know that they made the 'gift'. You mentioned this. The level of disconnect from the majority of society has created a delusion that the rich are desperate to, not only maintain, but expand. Of course, that delusion will destroy the rest of us. Yet, we don't seem particularly worried about it.

If it costs you so little (or even nothing) that it does not even register, then it is not exactly 'generous' now, is it?

But the main issue is this:

I want to believe that they aren't completely heartless.

With all due respect, this is why we are where we are. This country is never going to improve until we remove the system that has allowed this level of inequity. This country is never going to avoid another orange gibbon with the current system in place. The rich know that removing this system will remove their position in our society. Despite some claims of benevolence, none of them are going to allow this to happen. Which mean, the inequity will continue, and get worse. They don't care. They will act like they do, but the real solution is one that they will refuse to accept, even as they watch vast sections of the nation become wastelands due to over-use/abuse and complete lack of planning for the future. Once the instant profit motive is gone, they move on. Those who made them rich and live in those areas? Those who sacrificed to make this happen? Who cares.

But, we love our unfettered capitalism and the billionaires it creates, don't we?

(By the way, have I mentioned that millionaires and up account for around 5% of the population, yet they make up 58% of Congress? And, someone wants to tell me that all their decisions are solely based on the 'general welfare'?? )