Do rich people feel guilty?

[OneWiseAmberOP]

By rich I mean comfortably private school, buying luxury items and holidays on a regular basis witohut having to save up for it.

If you think you've earned your money and people are just jealous do you not see 'your' money came from extactive capitalistic practices and its taken from the pockets of people who are not rich...?

There you have it. Your Dad shouting was completely wrong as he - and your Mum - failed you as parents, I'm sorry to say.

Exactly

I think they knew life would work out fine for me, because I was smart enough. Only, it didn't.

I'm so proud of DC and hope they break the cycle it's looking like it

A lot of it is down to parental attitude. The sheer number of parents that are still walking their kids to school well after the bell has rung around here is staggering. Failing their kids from the very start of school. What are they thinking???

Nope. You talk about people like Jeff Bezos earning his money "off you".That's a bit simplistic. Not only does he employ and therefore pay 75,000 people in the UK he came up with a concept that can be objectively sold. That's what made him money. The process of selling and running that business takes time, effort, risk and courage.

My father, who ran big big businesses travelled endlessly. He was away from my mother endlessly. My childhood was stress and midnight chats between my parents to talk through problems when he was home endlessly. And yes, he made a shit tonne of money which he is now taxed on endlessly (like 5 figures of tax every month and he’s in his 80’s).

In turn, his work ethic means I now run a business. Having that business means I have to put myself out and yes I make money from that. Money I can spend how I want (including on public school fees for three - oh how hateful) because I value what I spend my money on and so the world goes round.

I met a guy once who was incredibly wealthy - no idea how wealthy, but it was a lot. He had inherited a small amount and invested it and started a few businesses - somw of which thrived, some didn’t.
He employed people and paid them, his ethics were sound. He took a loan out and bought into a company in the entertainment industry and his investment helped them launch into films.
This made him a millionaire - he bought his round of drinks, treated everyone well and was an all round decent bloke.

I think people just struggle sometimes

I think that applies to very few people in reality.
Some do not realise what it takes (own personal time, extra hours etc) through fault of their own but many just can’t be
arsed.

This

And this

Guilt is maybe the wrong word, but I certainly feel very conscious that I have a lot more than others, both in this country and in terms of the billions of people living in poorer countries than me. Yes, I worked hard at school and have a reasonably good career, but I had certain advantages along the way that many don't (primarily being born in the UK, in a family that supported my education, and academically able enough to do well at school). I'm acutely aware many people don't have these advantages and know that many people work much harder than I do for less money. I find it hard to morally justify the fact I earn more than a nurse or teacher, for example.

It's why I find it extremely hard to care about paying a few hundred more in tax a year (I can easily afford it) when I think about how hard many people have it in this country, especially children. And who knows where I'll be in the future? Relationship breakdowns, disabilities, job loss... can happen to any of us. So I definitely don't experience my good fortune as solely down to own hard work, a lot of luck was involved too.

I've had the thought though, why won't the dentist do it for free ? I need it done, and they are rich but turn you away out of money, I feel like this aspect of withholding medical care is unethical, and that someone in that position could feel guilty but they must just be numb to it from all the similar cases they see.

Rich people often provide employment for other people

Why should they feel guilty?

Forcing someone to do work without payment is slavery.

So who will pay for the premises? The equipment? The materials? Their expertise? Their staff?

I know but the cost is so extortionate without loans and a lot of people can't get credit. The materials do not cost anything like a private dentist charges, and there are things the NHS won't cover. It is, it's unethical and I hope they do feel guilty about it.

What do you need done?

I need a lot of teeth out and need to get either dentures or implants. I'm trying very hard to get loans

Sorry to hear about that. Hope it gets sorted.

No, I do not feel remotely guilty.
I've spent my life working my arse off and as a result I'm comfortable enough to afford some luxury, which in turn keeps others employed and the economy moving. All of these people pay tax which in turn supports those who don't.

Socialism cant survive without capitalism.

Nobody has to contribute to his wealth. But we choose to because he runs a company making things we want. Making money out of providing basic services like water or sewage disposal or sickness, is a different matter, and most agree that is the immoral side of capalistic society and needs the state to control.

What about food? Is it bad that Tesco makes a profit?

Should be regulated by the government.

Do explain what you mean. Food safety is already very highly regulated by the government.