To think that most rich people don’t actually care about those struggling?

[ZippyMintCat]

I keep seeing wealthy people make grand statements about philanthropy, “giving back”, and wanting to help but when it comes down to it, most of them don’t actually seem to care. They live in their own bubble, completely disconnected from the struggles of ordinary people.

They might donate to charity for tax breaks, post about “awareness” on social media or make vague comments about how “hard work pays off” but they rarely do anything that actually makes a difference. Meanwhile, the cost of living keeps rising, people are struggling to afford basics, and the ultra-rich just keep hoarding wealth.

Of course there are exceptions but in general, AIBU to think that rich people don’t really give a shit? Or am I just being cynical?

Tend to your corner of the world and let others tend to theirs. You will be happier.

I’m guilty of being envious of people with money, but this has made me rethink. Thank you @Lemniscate8

I think most people don't care that much about people who are struggling, not to the point of taking direct action. Or at least they care about their nearest and dearest first.

Plus if they are mega rich, they have at some point prioritised acquiring or hanging on to their cash. That means that they are disproportionately less likely to give it away.

Lots and lots of wealthy individuals give to charity and help out in ways the working class cannot. They just don't publicise it. Lots of celebrities give to the less fortunate, you just only ever hear about the ones who openly speak about it. You can't tie all wealthy people with the same brush. There always will be class divisions no matter how much money someone could give.

People like Jeff Bezos could save millions of lives every year and wouldn't even notice the dent in their bank balance. But they chooses not to do that. Which is manslaughter in my opinion but this is mumsnet so I'll just be laughed at and called jealous. Most of us can't afford to help much without sacrifice, so as much as we are complicit in other people's suffering with most of the products we buy, it isn't quite the same.

I think that the super rich are confused with the very wealthy. The poor and the very wealthy are in conflict while the super rich are taking all the money out of th economy.

What would you like them to do?

To be honest I don't think many people really and truly care. Yes, most of us feel sad and empathy when we see people suffering and donate to charity but how many of us actually give up the holiday, the take away, the night out, the new dress that we don't really need to help those who are suffering. Most of us are 'wealthy' when compared to starving people in third world countries (I'm obviously not including people surviving pay check to pay check on the bare necessities or families struggling on benefits). I often feel guilty because I know I could do without material things and contribute more (I'm a teacher). I'd say most of us are guilty of putting our own happiness first. There are people risking their lives to help others, doing without etc. I think we need to look at ourselves and what we are doing and could we do more.

Same

You can't generalise.

One of the wealthiest men I've known lived in a big house with a vast garden and had investments coming out of his ears. He was a kind, mild-mannered sort of chap.

I only found out after he had died that he regularly donated to a local children's charity. Essentially, whenever it was a few grand short for a necessary project, one of the Trustees (who told me about this) would have a quiet word and £££££ would land in the account. He may well have done the same for other charities, I suspect he probably did.

Another absolutely minted local family had a long-running connection with the charity Lepra - again, nothing said, I only found out when I read an obituary.

Use their wealth and influence in ways that create lasting change, not just PR-friendly donations. That could mean funding affordable housing projects, supporting small business growth, investing in renewable energy, backing grassroots initiatives, or lobbying for fairer wages and working conditions. When you’re in the ultra-rich bracket, even a fraction of your resources can have a huge impact if it’s targeted well.

Manslaughter? Fucking hell.

I don’t really agree with this actually. I’d say I spend a fair bit of time thinking about people less fortunate, whether it’s someone starving to death on the news or an elderly person struggling in a supermarket. I feel immensely grateful not to be in that kind of situation.

Very much agree with this. I’m comfortable but not wealthy, I donate to charities I care about but that aside I prioritise my own and my family’s happiness above helping others (in a financial sense), eg I would not forgo a fancy holiday and use the money to help strangers less well off than me. Therefore I don’t judge the ultra rich for spending or saving their money how they wish, it’s not really any different other than their money would go far further and they might miss it less but I don’t think you can really draw a line and say that at a certain point rich people ‘should’ give away their money. I can’t stand a hypocrite though so I detest celebrities, rich corporations etc encouraging other people to donate to a particular cause - those people and companies can put their hands in their own pockets first.

I didn't say you don't though. I said that I think most people probably don't. Maybe you are more empathetic than the average person.

...me, I don't know enough of those people to really have much idea. But as you do know them, I'd be interested to hear what they've said to you to lead you to that conclusion.

I mean, I assume you're not just making stuff up, having watched a lot of 'Very Rich People In Not Very Real Reality Shows - Harrogate Edition'.

I’m with you on this one, of course it’s not all of them but the celebrities begging for money from those of us just surviving for their most recent causes whilst enjoying luxurious holidays etc really grinds my gears.

Yes this.

Individuals in democracies don’t have the wherewithal to make structural changes : that’s for elected bodies and legislation and regulation. It needs political will which can’t always be bought.

Having said that, support of the third sector by philanthropists actually does make real change for real people. And to a certain extent I’m not that worried if that philanthropy is done with real concern for the end beneficiary or just for show.

So you want unelected people to have even more power and influence than they already do? Who decides where the money should go? If these filthy rich types want to do the most good for the most people, they do as Gates and Warren Buffet do and pour large amounts of investment into health and disease prevention in Africa. Not into the UK. Because by global standards, we're OK.

You don’t have to fund others just because you’re rich.

I think your username is not true

Manslaughter 😳

I think some people who are struggling can do more to improve their situations. I don't know anyone who wants to fund people who aren't helping themselves.

Good advice.

I have said above, but I believe that if the rich did care, the world would be moving towards equality, not further away. Projects to genuinely help and change things for the better would be normal rather than unusual. There is no need for world hunger, there is enough if it could reach the right people.

Happier countries have a smaller divide between the rich and the poor.

However, I don't blame the "rich", I think that most people put in the position of having a lot of money would prioritise themselves and their families above the general good. It's a real shame.

If you go on the government website and look how our tax is spent and how many billions everything costs, you will realise that it will take an awful lot of billionaires with an awful lot of money to make much of a difference. The interest repayments on our national debt are over £100 billion a year.