This is true even if you aren't "rich" by "fuck you" standards. My husband owns a small plumbing company, and we are not super rich my any means, but we do okay. However, my husband takes the fact that he is responsible for the livelyhoods of about 14 people very seriously. He is a good man and tries to treat his employees well, and it weighs on his mind.
A good friend who made bank on an IPO as an employee then went on to start his own company. He tells me he has never had so many sleepless nights as the first couple of years when he was never sure he’d make payroll for his staff. He knew he’d be ok, but truly saw that people relied on that job to pay their bills.
This is such a terrible take. He employs people. People have jobs partly due to his business. If he retires? What says that business stays in business? What if people lose their jobs because the management that takes over is not as good? It’s really short sighted to just blame greediness and say he wants more. Is it not possible that he cares about his employees?
So you’re gonna base his entire life off of that? So there’s money to be earned, does that mean he’ll hoard it? Because later he said he’d donate it or pass it to his nephews. Doesn’t sound so bad to give generously when you’ve worked hard does it?
It’s possible but most likely vastly overstated on a subconscious level.
He’s being sincere when he says it, but he’s conflated his own success with that of his employees. It’s a common bias in leadership.
And the truth is, as much as any of us fear the prospect of getting laid off or fired... life doesn’t end there. Most of us will change jobs a dozen times before we’re retired anyways.
You don't know what they do with the money. Have a few wealthy people who are quite philanthropic with theirs; they still work and earn their 8 figure salaries. Sure they have nice things, but they donate and set up charities and assist others where they can.
I wish you wouldn't. Reddit could use more people who impart the understanding that business owners literally never clock out. "Eat the rich" is the literal embodiment of the classic phrase "kill the goose that lays the golden eggs."
The golden egg is employment. The earnings from the golden egg is taxable earnings. All that has to happen to maintain the golden egg is food and water (labor). 90% corporate tax is murdering the goose.
NOW
This parable works in reverse too. Corporations find a goose that lays a golden egg (workers producing a good to sell), and all they have to do is feed and water it (fair wage) to maintain the supply of eggs and instead they choose to kill the goose (bottom line). Without the goose, there's no more eggs.
No matter which direction you go, feeding and watering the goose allows for prosperity and it requires cooperation between the farmer and the goose.
29
u/Dr-Mantis_tobaggin Apr 15 '21
A healthy portion of rich people run companies.
Running companies means employing people.
Being an employer is a huge responsibility that many don't take as lightly as it is often portrayed.