Shaq was part owner of 155 Five Guys, owns 150+ car washes, 17 Auntie Annies......

[Kblaze8855]

.....more than 40 gyms, some night clubs, and a movie theater...and some Krispie Kremes. He also owns 9 papa johns and considerable stock in the company along with being on its board of directors(with an 8 million a year deal to endorse). Hes invested in a lot of small tech companies. He sells, clothes, jewelry, shoes, and books. He owned some of the Ring doorbell company after he found the inventor and bought a stake before Amazon bought them out for 1 billion. Hes done several movies. Hes released 3 albums one of them platinum and one gold and he also still gets royalties off Michael Jacksons 8 times platinum album he had a song on.


The 25 or so companies he makes commercials for are required to let his in house production company shoot them so Shaq gets money both ways on them. Hes made video game money. Wrestling money. Reality tv. TNT pays him millions. He also made 292 million from the NBA and legend has it he didnt spend NBA cash after his father ripped him for blowing a million dollars his first week being rich. He supposedly lived off his Reebok money after that before he started with all the other streams of income. Considering what his houses cost I imagine he dipped into the NBA money eventually but....whatever.

He makes a lot more money now than he did while playing. He made more in 2019 than he did in any season when he played. And he was one of the few 20 years ago making modern money.

I bet in 20 years he owns the Magic.

Looking the fool is fine long as you dont live like it I guess.

On the other side....

Sprewell(after tax debt) is supposedly worth like 50K today after 100 million in earnings. I think Vin Baker still works at Starbucks. Antione Walker ended up playing in Puerto Rico for Target department head money.

[Kblaze8855]

Oh and as always respect due to Junior Bridgeman who flipped an 80s role player career to 600+ million. I think he’d have beaten Jordan to billionaire status if not for the Hornets(who I believe Jordan bought mostly by assuming debt).

[jayfan]

Oh and as always respect due to Junior Bridgeman who flipped an 80s role player career to 600+ million. I think he’d have bean Jordan to billionaire status if not for the Hornets(who I believe Jordan bought mostly by assuming debt).


Another 80's player who became a huge post-playing-career business success is 'The Microwave' Vinnie Johnson.

https://www.sportscasting.com/vinnie-johnson-turned-his-5-million-nba-earnings-to-a-staggering-400-million-net-worth/


.

[rawimpact]

The man was destined for Hollywood

[tpols]

having that military stepdad was probably the butterfly effect for it all

[HoopsNY]

.....more than 40 gyms, some night clubs, and a movie theater...and some Krispie Kremes. He also owns 9 papa johns and considerable stock in the company along with being on its board of directors(with an 8 million a year deal to endorse). Hes invested in a lot of small tech companies. He sells, clothes, jewelry, shoes, and books. He owned some of the Ring doorbell company after he found the inventor and bought a stake before Amazon bought them out for 1 billion. Hes done several movies. Hes released 3 albums one of them platinum and one gold and he also still gets royalties off Michael Jacksons 8 times platinum album he had a song on.


The 25 or so companies he makes commercials for are required to let his in house production company shoot them so Shaq gets money both ways on them. Hes made video game money. Wrestling money. Reality tv. TNT pays him millions. He also made 292 million from the NBA and legend has it he didnt spend NBA cash after his father ripped him for blowing a million dollars his first week being rich. He supposedly lived off his Reebok money after that before he started with all the other streams of income. Considering what his houses cost I imagine he dipped into the NBA money eventually but....whatever.

He makes a lot more money now than he did while playing. He made more in 2019 than he did in any season when he played. And he was one of the few 20 years ago making modern money.

I bet in 20 years he owns the Magic.

Looking the fool is fine long as you dont live like it I guess.

On the other side....

Sprewell(after tax debt) is supposedly worth like 50K today after 100 million in earnings. I think Vin Baker still works at Starbucks. Antione Walker ended up playing in Puerto Rico for Target department head money.

Some people just make bad choices and are plagued with the wrong company around them. I remember hearing about Vin Baker working at Starbucks and he made something like $100 million in salary alone. It's unreal to think that these players blew away insane amounts of money, but it does happen. Good for Shaq thoug. I hope he continues to build his empire.

[Kblaze8855]

having that military stepdad was probably the butterfly effect for it all

I’d love a transcript of the conversation they had when he found out Shaq spent a million in a week.

[FireDavidKahn]

.....more than 40 gyms, some night clubs, and a movie theater...and some Krispie Kremes. He also owns 9 papa johns and considerable stock in the company along with being on its board of directors(with an 8 million a year deal to endorse). Hes invested in a lot of small tech companies. He sells, clothes, jewelry, shoes, and books. He owned some of the Ring doorbell company after he found the inventor and bought a stake before Amazon bought them out for 1 billion. Hes done several movies. Hes released 3 albums one of them platinum and one gold and he also still gets royalties off Michael Jacksons 8 times platinum album he had a song on.


The 25 or so companies he makes commercials for are required to let his in house production company shoot them so Shaq gets money both ways on them. Hes made video game money. Wrestling money. Reality tv. TNT pays him millions. He also made 292 million from the NBA and legend has it he didnt spend NBA cash after his father ripped him for blowing a million dollars his first week being rich. He supposedly lived off his Reebok money after that before he started with all the other streams of income. Considering what his houses cost I imagine he dipped into the NBA money eventually but....whatever.

He makes a lot more money now than he did while playing. He made more in 2019 than he did in any season when he played. And he was one of the few 20 years ago making modern money.

I bet in 20 years he owns the Magic.

Looking the fool is fine long as you dont live like it I guess.

On the other side....

Sprewell(after tax debt) is supposedly worth like 50K today after 100 million in earnings. I think Vin Baker still works at Starbucks. Antione Walker ended up playing in Puerto Rico for Target department head money.

Rob Gronkowski is the perfect example of that. It was reported that he hasn't spent any of his salary that he has earned but rather invested it all.

https://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-patriots-money-saving-tips-rob-gronkowski-2019-2#:~:text=New%20England%20Patriots%20tight%20end,l ives%20off%20his%20endorsement%20earnings.


But getting paid like a rock star doesn't mean Gronkowski lives like one. He most likely earned an $8 million base salary in 2018 alone, but Gronkowski has said he hasn't spent a penny of his NFL career salary or signing bonuses, choosing instead to live off his endorsement deals.

Gronkowski made the surprising revelations about his spending in his 2015 book, "It's Good to Be Gronk."

"To this day, I still haven't touched one dime of my signing bonus or NFL contract money," he wrote. "I live off my marketing money and haven't blown it on any big-money expensive cars, expensive jewelry or tattoos and still wear my favorite pair of jeans from high school."

[Kblaze8855]

I think Carson Palmer is another. When he first retired from the Bengals he posted that he had like 80 million cash in the bank so he didn’t care if the wouldn’t give him his release.

[rawimpact]

I’d love a transcript of the conversation they had when he found out Shaq spent a million in a week.

A quarter of that million (really 700k) was spent on his parents cars... his dad with the more expensive one so i don't think he was too uspet.

Shaq now is probably at that infinite level where he makes more than he can spend with his investments

[Kblaze8855]

If I remember correctly he got his dad a Cadillac. In 1992? I doubt it was more than 40-50k.

[rawimpact]

If I remember correctly he got his dad a Cadillac. In 1992? I doubt it was more than 40-50k.

wrong


The NBA star’s first purchase was a $150,000 Mercedes Benz. He immediately followed that up with a matching one for his dad and a smaller $100,000 one for his mom.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/03/how-shaq-venus-and-other-athletes-spent-their-first-big-paycheck.html

Pretty much half is 'million' pretax was on vehicles, his parents being the greater beneficiaries.

[Kblaze8855]

I remember him telling a story about pulling up and his dad said “Where’s mine?” but for some reason I’m picturing a red El Dorado.

[ralph_i_el]

Once you hit a certain amount of money, it unlocks new investments that normal people don't have access to. At that point, you basically snowball and make more and more. Low taxes on capital gains, and tax incentives on reinvestment are good for overall economic numbers, but it leads to a concentration of wealth like this.

I have no problem with Shaq being smart with his money, but all that cash he gets from owning Five Guys and car washes is made on the backs of people getting $10/h. Without them, all those investments are worthless.

[rawimpact]

Once you hit a certain amount of money, it unlocks new investments that normal people don't have access to. At that point, you basically snowball and make more and more. Low taxes on capital gains, and tax incentives on reinvestment are good for overall economic numbers, but it leads to a concentration of wealth like this.

I have no problem with Shaq being smart with his money, but all that cash he gets from owning Five Guys and car washes is made on the backs of people getting $10/h. Without them, all those investments are worthless.


lol wtf? If you're working at 10/h and have a problem with it... move on. Don't expect to get paid well flipping burgers. That is obviously an entry position. This is some socialist ass view

[ralph_i_el]

lol wtf? If you're working at 10/h and have a problem with it... move on. Don't expect to get paid well flipping burgers. That is obviously an entry position. This is some socialist ass view

No matter what I do, someone needs to be flipping burgers right? Even if everyone goes to school, studies real hard, has a 150 IQ and works 7 days a week....someone has to flip burgers right?

Doesn't effect me. I get to be a millionaire with no work, because my daddy sold weapons to the government and my wife's grandpa....sold weapons to the government. Woooo. I got a whole crew of guys in today renovating the house I just bought. I just know the score.

Again, owning a Five Guys franchise is worthless without workers getting paid less money than they bring in.

Right now in America we have socialism for the rich and competition for the poor.

[Derka]

When you have that kind of money so young in life, its all about having good people who are truly looking out for you. Needs more Shaqs and less Antoine Walkers.

[Shogon]

A quarter of that million (really 700k) was spent on his parents cars... his dad with the more expensive one so i don't think he was too uspet.

Shaq now is probably at that infinite level where he makes more than he can spend with his investments

There is no such thing as an "infinite" level.

People can outspend any amount of income. The ability is there. There are enough goods and services out there.

I could spend his $400 million on things I want, which includes selling all of his various stakes, in less than 24 hours. I guarantee it.

Hell, I would build a subterranean mega house that would be in excess of $100 million IN ADDITION TO the biggest piece of property you've ever seen, with God knows what price. It wouldn't be exactly that easy, but you catch my drift.

Any amount of income and investments can be outspent. ANY.

Total global wealth is probably somewhere around $400 trillion. LOL.

[rawimpact]

There is no such thing as an "infinite" level.

People can outspend any amount of income. The ability is there. There are enough goods and services out there.

I could spend his $400 million on things I want, which includes selling all of his various stakes, in less than 24 hours. I guarantee it.


No shit captain obvious

[Shogon]

No shit captain obvious

Ok, so there's not an infinite level. Glad we corrected the bullshit that fell out of your fingers, dipshit.

[Kblaze8855]

Once you hit a certain amount of money, it unlocks new investments that normal people don't have access to. At that point, you basically snowball and make more and more. Low taxes on capital gains, and tax incentives on reinvestment are good for overall economic numbers, but it leads to a concentration of wealth like this.

I have no problem with Shaq being smart with his money, but all that cash he gets from owning Five Guys and car washes is made on the backs of people getting $10/h. Without them, all those investments are worthless.


If the people getting that 10 think their hour is worth more they probably shouldn’t take it. Exactly one thing keeps wages low. Someone else thinking it’s enough to do the job.

There is always a kid in school, woman who needs an extra 16 hours a week on top of her real job, or dead end job hopping 28 year old who has no standards. If a burger couldn’t be flipped for 10 bucks a place would pay 12. But here we are.


You don’t make money off the backs of the entry level. The entry level shakes your hand and agrees you are paying them enough to come in tomorrow. Everyone wants more money. But apparently not bad enough to turn down a little for a job that takes no skill.

[ralph_i_el]

There is no such thing as an "infinite" level.

People can outspend any amount of income. The ability is there. There are enough goods and services out there.

I could spend his $400 million on things I want, which includes selling all of his various stakes, in less than 24 hours. I guarantee it.

Hell, I would build a subterranean mega house that would be in excess of $100 million ON TOP OF the biggest piece of property you've ever seen, with God knows what price. It wouldn't be exactly that easy, but you catch my drift.

Any amount of income and investments can be outspent. ANY.

Total global wealth is probably somewhere around $400 trillion. LOL.

Property is an investment though. You aren't really "spending" that money any more than you are when you buy a Five Guys franchise. The only difference is the franchise will be bringing in income, and the property will just have capital appreciation.

[rawimpact]

Ok, so there's not an infinite level. Glad we corrected the bullshit that fell out of your fingers, dipshit.


It's implied while maintaining the same quality of life, not being a retard like yourself

[Shogon]

If the people getting that 10 think their hour is worth more they probably shouldn’t take it. Exactly one think keeps wages low. Someone else thinking it’s enough to do the job.

There is always a kid in school, woman who needs an extra 16 hours a week on top of her real job, or dead end job hopping 28 year old who has no standards. If a burger couldn’t be flipped for 10 bucks a place would pay 12. But here we are.


You don’t make money off the backs of the entry level. The entry level shakes your hand and agrees you are paying them enough to come in tomorrow. Everyone wants more money. But apparently not bad enough to turn down a little for a job that takes no skill.

:applause:

[Shogon]

It's implied while maintaining the same quality of life, not being a retard like yourself

He can't outright buy an NBA team as the sole owner, even if he maintained the exact same quality of life as he is living day to day now. So everything you're saying is bullshit. Shut up.

"Infinite level." LOL!

[Kblaze8855]

No matter what I do, someone needs to be flipping burgers right? Even if everyone goes to school, studies real hard, has a 150 IQ and works 7 days a week....someone has to flip burgers right?

Doesn't effect me. I get to be a millionaire with no work, because my daddy sold weapons to the government and my wife's grandpa....sold weapons to the government. Woooo. I got a whole crew of guys in today renovating the house I just bought. I just know the score.

Again, owning a Five Guys franchise is worthless without workers getting paid less money than they bring in.

Right now in America we have socialism for the rich and competition for the poor.


So who should get your parents money? The government? People wouldn’t be nearly so productive without being able to give it to their families. I know I wouldn’t.

[rawimpact]

He can't outright buy an NBA team as the sole owner, even if he maintained the exact same quality of life as he is living day to day now. So everything you're saying is bullshit. Shut up.

"Infinite level." LOL!

And how exactly is buying a NBA team maintaining his current QOL dipshit?

If I opt to spend my life savings buying a yacht am I maintaining my QOL? No moron... that is outside the norm

[Shogon]

No matter what I do, someone needs to be flipping burgers right? Even if everyone goes to school, studies real hard, has a 150 IQ and works 7 days a week....someone has to flip burgers right?

Until robots do it, yes. Which is why the "everyone CAN go to college" narrative that's pushed on children that get saddled up with a lifetime of debt is an absolutely vile bullshit lie.


Doesn't effect me. I get to be a millionaire with no work, because my daddy sold weapons to the government and my wife's grandpa....sold weapons to the government. Woooo. I got a whole crew of guys in today renovating the house I just bought. I just know the score.

Millionaires and billionaires kids easily squander their parents' wealth if the kid isn't raised right. One generation. Happens all the time. Life isn't fair, I'm not sure what you want... life will never be fair. Ever. We are not born equal as individuals. Different people have different strengths and weaknesses. Life... isn't... fair.


Right now in America we have socialism for the rich and competition for the poor.

This, however, is largely correct. And it's ****ed up. And something needs to be done... less government, I would say.

[ralph_i_el]

If the people getting that 10 think their hour is worth more they probably shouldn’t take it. Exactly one think keeps wages low. Someone else thinking it’s enough to do the job.

There is always a kid in school, woman who needs an extra 16 hours a week on top of her real job, or dead end job hopping 28 year old who has no standards. If a burger couldn’t be flipped for 10 bucks a place would pay 12. But here we are.


You don’t make money off the backs of the entry level. The entry level shakes your hand and agrees you are paying them enough to come in tomorrow. Everyone wants more money. But apparently not bad enough to turn down a little for a job that takes no skill.

"Shakes your hand and agrees you are paying them enough"

They're desperate enough because they have to be. Is it really a voluntary exchange when the necessities of life (mainly shelter) are all owned by someone else? You can't really opt out of the system (especially because of the criminalization of homelessness), so you are compelled to work for the people who own the land and resources.

You guys need to move beyond thinking about this on an individual level. Sure an individual can breakthrough and get a better job, but someone is still going to be flipping those burgers for 10/h no matter what individuals do.

I used to work at an investment bank. That job took absolutely no skill at all. I had to make small talk and shake hands. You ever shook a guy's hand and made 3k for doing nothing? Sure I had to pass a pretty tough law test to get the job, but other than that it took way less skill than working McDonalds. I got that job because I had a fancy education that I didn't pay for, because my dad had a fancy education he didn't pay for, because his dad got a great job during segregation times.

I quit that shit because I couldn't live with myself.

One of the reasons why sports are so worshiped in American culture is because they provide an example of people getting fabulously wealthy from hard work and talent. Same with music and acting. The truth is, the vast majority of wealthy people are wealthy because of who their dad is, and where they are born.

My best friend is a genius chemical engineer. Still hasn't paid off his student loans from 'Cuse. He works at a start up, and his only hope for getting out from under those loans rests on one billionaire investor (his classmate's dad) who has no science background at all. He's working on a test that cuts the time to diagnose kidney diseases in HALF. He'll make $1m if he does. The investor will make ~$50m.

[tpols]

I used to work at an investment bank. That job took absolutely no skill at all. I had to make small talk and shake hands. You ever shook a guy's hand and made 3k for doing nothing? Sure I had to pass a pretty tough law test to get the job, but other than that it took way less skill than working McDonalds.

Wall St is a big problem... those guys are basically all white collar criminals.

[Shogon]

And how exactly is buying a NBA team maintaining his current QOL dipshit?

If I opt to spend my life savings buying a yacht am I maintaining my QOL? No moron... that is outside the norm

Shaq's day to day life as an NBA owner would be no different than it is now in terms of his spending power, depending on the team. A lot of them lose money annually. He'd probably have as much added stress if he cared about the team at all than as would get enjoyment out of it.

Let's get into the nuance of this entire discussion, shall we?

You said "Shaq is PROBABLY at that infinite level."

So... what exactly does that look like? "Quality of life" is a floating variable. There is no set standard quality of life, even for Shaquille. I am sure there have been years that he has spent more than other years. Shaq already pretty much buys whatever he wants, but he clearly can't afford everything. I take huge issue with the usage of the word "infinite."

And I take huge issue with it because you could literally have made the same statement for ANYONE that has like... I don't know... $2,000,000? $3,000,000? Find somewhere to earn 3% interest, and you're getting $60,000/$90,000 a year to do absolutely nothing. Are those people not at that "infinite" level? Lol.

So, just looking at things from YOUR perspective as it pertains to Shaq's life based on the standards that you have framed since we've discussed this further... to say "probably" is in itself bullshit. You should know damn good and well that Shaq is at that "infinite" level. Again, a bullshit term.

If he liquidated everything and could only find a meager 3% return, he would earn $12,000,000 a year that he could just freely blow.

Shaq passed the "infinite"(again, BULLSHIT TERM) level according to you, LONG ago. There is no "probably" about it. Just shut up. But back to MY point... there is no infinite level.

[ralph_i_el]

My grandad has Parkinson's. He has a nurse from Ghana who used to be a doctor in his home country. He wants to be a doctor in America, but he keeps getting his applications for residency denied. Turns out, there's a very limited number of these spots, and you either need connections or to be a military vet to get one. He's a very kind and intelligent man. He wipes my grandpa's ass for a living.

Our system is set up to provide an artificial scarcity of doctors, which keeps their salaries high...and the cost of healthcare high as well. Healthcare is an essential need. The high cost of it contributes to the desperate situation of workers. The artificially high salaries of doctors leads them to lean conservative (muh taxes), and continue to perpetuate the system that keeps us artificially short on doctors.

Put it shortly, way more people want to be doctors (and have the competence), but can't. This is on purpose.

Cuba is a poor country, due to years of imperialism profiting off their natural resources, and a 60+ year American embargo. If you want to be a doctor in Cuba, money is no obstacle. They have better healthcare outcomes than the US at a fraction of the cost, and can afford to send doctors overseas to serve in even poorer countries.

[ralph_i_el]

Wall St is a big problem... those guys are basically all white collar criminals.

They were literally teaching me how to do crimes. My hair was falling out and I was constantly sick in my stomach.

[NBAGOAT]

"Shakes your hand and agrees you are paying them enough"

They're desperate enough because they have to be. Is it really a voluntary exchange when the necessities of life (mainly shelter) are all owned by someone else? You can't really opt out of the system (especially because of the criminalization of homelessness), so you are compelled to work for the people who own the land and resources.

You guys need to move beyond thinking about this on an individual level. Sure an individual can breakthrough and get a better job, but someone is still going to be flipping those burgers for 10/h no matter what individuals do.

I used to work at an investment bank. That job took absolutely no skill at all. I had to make small talk and shake hands. You ever shook a guy's hand and made 3k for doing nothing? Sure I had to pass a pretty tough law test to get the job, but other than that it took way less skill than working McDonalds. I got that job because I had a fancy education that I didn't pay for, because my dad had a fancy education he didn't pay for, because his dad got a great job during segregation times.

I quit that shit because I couldn't live with myself.

One of the reasons why sports are so worshiped in American culture is because they provide an example of people getting fabulously wealthy from hard work and talent. Same with music and acting. The truth is, the vast majority of wealthy people are wealthy because of who their dad is, and where they are born.

My best friend is a genius chemical engineer. Still hasn't paid off his student loans from 'Cuse. He works at a start up, and his only hope for getting out from under those loans rests on one billionaire investor (his classmate's dad) who has no science background at all. He's working on a test that cuts the time to diagnose kidney diseases in HALF. He'll make $1m if he does. The investor will make ~$50m.

Some of my bias is kicking in but it’s a shame how little some people in stem get paid. Also even though it’s not liberal arts, plenty of stem majors like physics and math require grad school education to find work and thts a racket with how much schools charge. At least doctors and lawyers know a big paycheck is coming up.

And completely agree who your dad is matters so much. Even goes back to standardized testing. A sat prep program can add 300 points to your score and that’s huge for college admissions

[ralph_i_el]

So who should get your parents money? The government? People wouldn’t be nearly so productive without being able to give it to their families. I know I wouldn’t.

They never should have made that much in the first place, and it shouldn't matter, because our society shouldn't be so expensive to live in relative to our level of productivity.

Income inequality actually leads to a decrease in overall economic efficiency. I read an actual academic paper on this recently, but I can't find it right now, so here's the best I can do on that. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2014/12/how-does-equality-affect-efficiency/

The more inequality we have in wages, the more likely a less productive firm can get by because their labor costs are low. Things that raise the cost of labor put inefficient firms out of business, and open up space for (possibly) more efficient use of that labor.

A lot of work is put in to perpetuating economic myths about labor that don't actually hold true in practice.

[ralph_i_el]

Yeah I had the fanciest SAT prep class. Scored 1470/1600 (top 98/99% depending on the year). My little brother got a 1540, with a perfect math score. Now he works for AWS, making sure our CBP and ICE can deport people more efficiently!

[Shogon]

"Shakes your hand and agrees you are paying them enough"

They're desperate enough because they have to be. Is it really a voluntary exchange when the necessities of life (mainly shelter) are all owned by someone else? You can't really opt out of the system (especially because of the criminalization of homelessness), so you are compelled to work for the people who own the land and resources.

Maybe for a brief moment out of necessity. But this is where it becomes on them to do something else with their life or go somewhere else. Nobody forced them to take that job and then also stay in it long term. You can argue that they briefly HAD to take that job, but if they never grew in skill set or ability, then it is THEIR fault that they are only making that much money. Unless they're literally incapable of doing better. But that's not true, because even idiots can do better with enough hustle. And again, life isn't fair. We have a society that, cronyism aside, pays out based on cognitive ability... or at least, perceived cognitive ability... and risk taken. Some human beings are straight up more valuable to society than others. That's a fact, it's not a debate. Life... isn't fair.


You guys need to move beyond thinking about this on an individual level. Sure an individual can breakthrough and get a better job, but someone is still going to be flipping those burgers for 10/h no matter what individuals do.

There is nothing wrong with kids flipping burgers for $10 an hour. And if $10 an hour wasn't enough to hire someone, the wages... would go up... imagine that. So would the price of the burgers. And if it became unprofitable because the wages were too high and they couldn't raise prices, the burger place wouldn't exist, and thus neither would the jobs.


I used to work at an investment bank. That job took absolutely no skill at all. I had to make small talk and shake hands. You ever shook a guy's hand and made 3k for doing nothing? Sure I had to pass a pretty tough law test to get the job, but other than that it took way less skill than working McDonalds. I got that job because I had a fancy education that I didn't pay for, because my dad had a fancy education he didn't pay for, because his dad got a great job during segregation times.

But you had to pass that test... and not everyone could, even with studying and hard work. Ok, your family tree has done a good job managing their wealth... it won't last forever. One of your lineage will **** it up, or someone won't have kids, and that wealth will be gone. And that's that.

[Shogon]

I quit that shit because I couldn't live with myself.

Admirable. I don't think those people deserve all that money, but hey, we've all been reduced to numbers by corporatism. It's pretty sickening, but it is what it is. What are we going to do, outlaw corporations from existing?


One of the reasons why sports are so worshiped in American culture is because they provide an example of people getting fabulously wealthy from hard work and talent. Same with music and acting. The truth is, the vast majority of wealthy people are wealthy because of who their dad is, and where they are born.

The by far biggest reason that sports are so "worshiped" as you put it is because these guys can do things that we didn't perceive to be possible. We like to be wowed. Nobody that I know of on this board is a huge ass fan of LeBron James because of how much money he makes, lol. Ridiculous. It's because of the entertainment level he provides. Not because of his income, not even close.


My best friend is a genius chemical engineer. Still hasn't paid off his student loans from 'Cuse. He works at a start up, and his only hope for getting out from under those loans rests on one billionaire investor (his classmate's dad) who has no science background at all. He's working on a test that cuts the time to diagnose kidney diseases in HALF. He'll make $1m if he does. The investor will make ~$50m.

Society needs to be balanced once again. We have all turned into numbers on a spread sheet. But the fact remains that your friend wouldn't be able to do anything without the capital that investor provided, and thus it wouldn't have happened. They're the one taking the risk... not your friend. If it all ends up doing nothing, your friend still got paid in the mean time and the investor lost out on everything.

[warriorfan]

"Shakes your hand and agrees you are paying them enough"

They're desperate enough because they have to be. Is it really a voluntary exchange when the necessities of life (mainly shelter) are all owned by someone else? You can't really opt out of the system (especially because of the criminalization of homelessness), so you are compelled to work for the people who own the land and resources.

You guys need to move beyond thinking about this on an individual level. Sure an individual can breakthrough and get a better job, but someone is still going to be flipping those burgers for 10/h no matter what individuals do.

I used to work at an investment bank. That job took absolutely no skill at all. I had to make small talk and shake hands. You ever shook a guy's hand and made 3k for doing nothing? Sure I had to pass a pretty tough law test to get the job, but other than that it took way less skill than working McDonalds. I got that job because I had a fancy education that I didn't pay for, because my dad had a fancy education he didn't pay for, because his dad got a great job during segregation times.

I quit that shit because I couldn't live with myself.

One of the reasons why sports are so worshiped in American culture is because they provide an example of people getting fabulously wealthy from hard work and talent. Same with music and acting. The truth is, the vast majority of wealthy people are wealthy because of who their dad is, and where they are born.

My best friend is a genius chemical engineer. Still hasn't paid off his student loans from 'Cuse. He works at a start up, and his only hope for getting out from under those loans rests on one billionaire investor (his classmate's dad) who has no science background at all. He's working on a test that cuts the time to diagnose kidney diseases in HALF. He'll make $1m if he does. The investor will make ~$50m.

A buddy of mine works for a big bank in acquisitions and was showing me some of his work onetime...I was being nice but honestly it looked pretty much like your basic high school power point. Was not impressed. He makes a ton of money but he did go through a lot of school.

[NBAGOAT]

Yeah I had the fanciest SAT prep class. Scored 1470/1600 (top 98/99% depending on the year). My little brother got a 1540, with a perfect math score. Now he works for AWS, making sure our CBP and ICE can deport people more efficiently!

Your brother might not be there in a couple years :lol. Amazon’s a miserable workplace

[Shogon]

I'd also like to add, that in my opinion, and I could be wrong... the two biggest reasons for increasing wealth inequality are...

1) The Federal Reserve printing money like it's going out of style. What this does is devalue the dollar which ****s the working and lower class more than anyone else. Because the rich guys at the top, if they have any brains, just keep scooping up assets and their wealth on paper increases dramatically while the guys at the bottom get left behind because the wages aren't keeping up with inflation.

2) Technology. The more and more technology advances, the less and less valuable the people at the bottom will be to society. Sucks, but it is what it is. And it's going to get worse before it gets better, which means... that we will either have to figure out some type of workable UBI system, or humanity will have to depopulate to some degree... probably a large degree. This can't be understated enough. Our current technological path is unsustainable given our current system and global population.

[ralph_i_el]

Admirable. I don't think those people deserve all that money, but hey, we've all been reduced to numbers by corporatism. It's pretty sickening, but it is what it is. What are we going to do, outlaw corporations from existing?



The by far biggest reason that sports are so "worshiped" as you put it is because these guys can do things that we didn't perceive to be possible. We like to be wowed. Nobody that I know of on this board is a huge ass fan of LeBron James because of how much money he makes, lol. Ridiculous. It's because of the entertainment level he provides. Not because of his income, not even close.



Society needs to be balanced once again. We have all turned into numbers on a spread sheet. But the fact remains that your friend wouldn't be able to do anything without the capital that investor provided, and thus it wouldn't have happened. They're the one taking the risk... not your friend. If it all ends up doing nothing, your friend still got paid in the mean time and the investor lost out on everything.

Of course we love LeBron because of his talent. People look at him and say "If I work really hard and get really good, I can make $100m too!". It helps them buy in to the system But do you ever ask yourself why government's invest billions in sports stadiums, and pay the leagues millions to carry out patriotic displays?

Another good friend of mine dreamed of being a professional orchestral musician. He practiced his flute 4 hours a day for 15 years. He can play so beautifully that you would cry. Not enough jobs for that though, and he had to make rent. He had to chuck the flute and get an MBA, so he can shake hands for money too. Efficiency!

My friend's investor didn't make the tools he uses in the lab. Didn't help construct the building. Didn't kill 1000 little fish by dunking them in chemicals before using them for tests. He just has the money, so he gets to decide what happens with the resources. My friend wouldn't be able to do anything without the other workers who produced the tools he needed. Without the investor, the labor and raw materials still exist.

Say what you want about the Soviets, but they made a lot of tech breakthroughs without a single investor. The US military too.

[Kblaze8855]

They're desperate enough because they have to be. Is it really a voluntary exchange when the necessities of life (mainly shelter) are all owned by someone else? You can't really opt out of the system (especially because of the criminalization of homelessness), so you are compelled to work for the people who own the land and resources.

You guys need to move beyond thinking about this on an individual level. Sure an individual can breakthrough and get a better job, but someone is still going to be flipping those burgers for 10/h no matter what individuals do.

Yes....someone will be flipping it for 10 dollars an hour. Know who? The individuals who decide to screw everyone else by doing it on the cheap. These arent all people on the verge of ruin. Its mostly kids, part timers, and people who dont have much ambition. Are there hard working people down on their luck too? Absolutely. But they arent a load bearing segment of that workforce. Get rid of every hard working home owner staving off homelessness every fast food place on earth is just fine.

Get rid of people under 22 and dudes on their parents couch who probably dont have to be?

Much bigger loss.


I used to work at an investment bank. That job took absolutely no skill at all. I had to make small talk and shake hands. You ever shook a guy's hand and made 3k for doing nothing? Sure I had to pass a pretty tough law test to get the job, but other than that it took way less skill than working McDonalds. I got that job because I had a fancy education that I didn't pay for, because my dad had a fancy education he didn't pay for, because his dad got a great job during segregation times.


Have you any idea how many people wouldnt work hard enough to pass that test and how many people dont want a good job bad enough to pass a drug test simply by giving up drugs for a little while?

A lot of them work at Arbys. Now on the other end....you have legit slow people. Not downright disabled just....not capable of doing as much as most. Thats a whole other story.

[Kblaze8855]

I quit that shit because I couldn't live with myself.

One of the reasons why sports are so worshiped in American culture is because they provide an example of people getting fabulously wealthy from hard work and talent. Same with music and acting. The truth is, the vast majority of wealthy people are wealthy because of who their dad is, and where they are born.

My best friend is a genius chemical engineer. Still hasn't paid off his student loans from 'Cuse. He works at a start up, and his only hope for getting out from under those loans rests on one billionaire investor (his classmate's dad) who has no science background at all. He's working on a test that cuts the time to diagnose kidney diseases in HALF. He'll make $1m if he does. The investor will make ~$50m.


Ive been seeing a trust fund baby for a while now. Not like....tycoon money. She gets 1500 every 2 weeks forever(with a cost of living adjustment) while also sending her trust officer her major bills which it also pays....or takes a lump sum. Shes decided to take the payments until she decides on a house. Her family has old Wofford college money.

Does it suck I didnt have that chance? Yes. Am I annoyed watching her blow 800 in victorias secret and 300 in bath and body works then complain about being broke till the 15th? Yes.

Am I getting up at 3:30 every morning so hopefully one day my grand kids have the chance?

Yep.

Im used to poverty. I came up poor. I feel comfortable in a 3 bed 2 bath house in my old neighborhood smoking tri tip and sharing with my neighbors. Im content.

Do I want my kids and grandkids to be content with that? Nope.

And I make no apologies. In my eyes....a man works for his family. I will get no sleep so my kids can sleep well. Thats how it should be to me. I feel like if you had kids you would understand. And if you do...and still dont? You would be the one in 10,000.

[ralph_i_el]

Yes....someone will be flipping it for 10 dollars an hour. Know who? The individuals who decide to screw everyone else by doing it on the cheap.





Have you any idea how many people wouldnt work hard enough to pass that test and how many people dont want a good job bad enough to pass a drug test simply by giving up drugs for a little while?

A lot of them work at Arbys. Now on the other end....you have legit slow people. Not downright disabled just....not capable of doing as much as most. Thats a whole other story.



Lol I didn't have to pass a piss test. I was high most of the time back then. Most guys at my office were Uni of Maryland fratboys with coke problems. They'll drug test you down at the Amazon warehouse though.

I did briefly get in a pickup game with Greivis Vasquez because of my co-workers tho.

[ralph_i_el]

Ive been seeing a trust fund baby for a while now. Not like....tycoon money. She gets 1500 every 2 weeks forever(with a cost of living adjustment) while also sending her trust officer her major bills which it also pays....or takes a lump sum. Shes decided to take the payments until she decides on a house. Her family has old Wofford college money.

Does it suck I didnt have that chance? Yes. Am I annoyed watching her blow 800 in victorias secret and 300 in bath and body works then complain about being broke till the 15th? Yes.

Am I getting up at 3:30 every morning so hopefully one day my grand kids have the chance?

Yep.

Im used to poverty. I came up poor. I feel comfortable in a 3 bed 2 bath house in my old neighborhood smoking tri tip and sharing with my neighbors. Im content.

Do I want my kids and grandkids to be content with that? Nope.

And I make no apologies. In my eyes....a man works for his family. I will get no sleep so my kids can sleep well. Thats how it should be to me. I feel like if you had kids you would understand. And if you do...and still dont? You would be the one in 10,000.

Everyone should be able to sleep well. We could have a society where this is true. You sleep badly because the people who made the rules need you to. It doesn't have to be that way.

Most people just want to make sure their family is secure, spend time with their family and friends, and pursue their hobbies. I was blown away in parts of Europe by the fact that regular people with low skill jobs were able to take long vacations, hang out in nice public places with their friends, and live low-stress lives.

I just want to spend time with my wife, write and read, and shoot some hoops. Our society doesn't want that for me.

You know in Australia the minimum wage is equivalent to $15-17, and workers get (mostly) free government healthcare. McDonald's workers in Australia go on internation vacations.

[rawimpact]

Shaq's day to day life as an NBA owner would be no different than it is now in terms of his spending power, depending on the team. A lot of them lose money annually. He'd probably have as much added stress if he cared about the team at all than as would get enjoyment out of it.

Let's get into the nuance of this entire discussion, shall we?

You said "Shaq is PROBABLY at that infinite level."

So... what exactly does that look like? "Quality of life" is a floating variable. There is no set standard quality of life, even for Shaquille. I am sure there have been years that he has spent more than other years. Shaq already pretty much buys whatever he wants, but he clearly can't afford everything. I take huge issue with the usage of the word "infinite."

And I take huge issue with it because you could literally have made the same statement for ANYONE that has like... I don't know... $2,000,000? $3,000,000? Find somewhere to earn 3% interest, and you're getting $60,000/$90,000 a year to do absolutely nothing. Are those people not at that "infinite" level? Lol.

So, just looking at things from YOUR perspective as it pertains to Shaq's life based on the standards that you have framed since we've discussed this further... to say "probably" is in itself bullshit. You should know damn good and well that Shaq is at that "infinite" level. Again, a bullshit term.

If he liquidated everything and could only find a meager 3% return, he would earn $12,000,000 a year that he could just freely blow.

Shaq passed the "infinite"(again, BULLSHIT TERM) level according to you, LONG ago. There is no "probably" about it. Just shut up. But back to MY point... there is no infinite level.


Damn this dude typing out a novel to argue semantics. Infinite means just that, look it up. It even references Shaq's income on merriam webster

[Kblaze8855]

Lol I didn't have to pass a piss test. I was high most of the time back then. They'll drug test you down at the Amazon warehouse though...


I know. There is one here that pays 17+ an hour and I personally know people who dont apply there or at BMW(21+ an hour now) due to being content smoking kush and playing madden.

One of them literally work at Arbys. Cool guy. We hang out. Ive known him since the early 90s.

But he makes what he decides is fine. His moms house apparently suits him.

[Shogon]

Everyone should be able to sleep well. We could have a society where this is true. You sleep badly because the people who made the rules need you to. It doesn't have to be that way.

Most people just want to make sure their family is secure, spend time with their family and friends, and pursue their hobbies. I was blown away in parts of Europe by the fact that regular people with low skill jobs were able to take long vacations, hang out in nice public places with their friends, and live low-stress lives.

I just want to spend time with my wife, write and read, and shoot some hoops. Our society doesn't want that for me.

Ah, the crux of it all. "Should."

Life isn't fair, and thus, the core disagreement. Can we do better? Yes. But "should" will never happen, and it has nothing to do with a broken system... it's just... life.

[Shogon]

Damn this dude typing out a novel to argue semantics. Infinite means just that, look it up. It even references Shaq's income on merriam webster

Summary... quality of life is a floating variable, even for Shaquille... according to your perspective, you should have easily recognized that Shaq passed the "live off the interest" point a long ass time ago... and... there is no actual infinite level. You're just retarded.

[Kblaze8855]

Everyone should be able to sleep well. We could have a society where this is true. You sleep badly because the people who made the rules need you to. It doesn't have to be that way.

Most people just want to make sure their family is secure, spend time with their family and friends, and pursue their hobbies. I was blown away in parts of Europe by the fact that regular people with low skill jobs were able to take long vacations, hang out in nice public places with their friends, and live low-stress lives.

I just want to spend time with my wife, write and read, and shoot some hoops. Our society doesn't want that for me.


Our society requires people to not be chilling....so some people can chill. How are you supposed to shoot hoops without someone making the net somewhere? Everyone cant chill. Thats just the real world.

[ralph_i_el]

Ah, the crux of it all. "Should."

Life isn't fair, and thus, the core disagreement. Can we do better? Yes. But "should" will never happen, and it has nothing to do with a broken system... it's just... life.

Lol what? How can "should" never happen when we can literally watch it happen in other nations? Thomas Clement Douglas was voted the Greatest Canadian of All Time after leading the fight that got them universal healthcare.

Should is possible. Things can get better and they can get worse.

Imagine taking your attitude to 1840's USA. "SURE SLAVERY AINT FAIR, BUT THAT'S LIFE. BETTER THINGS AINT POSSIBLE. BACK TO WORK"

[rawimpact]

Summary... quality of life is a floating variable, even for Shaquille... according to your perspective, you should have easily recognized that Shaq passed the "live off the interest" point a long ass time ago... and... there is no actual infinite level. You're just retarded.

Look it up, QOL is a variable, but a measurable one with both quantitative qualitative data. It's done all the time; i'll reference you to the Stark QoL Questionnaire.

Shaq's responses on the Stark QoL showed direct relationship to infinite income (P<0.00000001, R=1)

[Shogon]

Lol what? How can "should" never happen when we can literally watch it happen in other nations? Thomas Clement Douglas was voted the Greatest Canadian of All Time after leading the fight that got them universal healthcare.

Should is possible. Things can get better and they can get worse.

Imagine taking your attitude to 1840's USA. "SURE SLAVERY AINT FAIR, BUT THAT'S LIFE. BETTER THINGS AINT POSSIBLE. BACK TO WORK"

Imagine thinking that life will ever be fair. lol.

Hey... at least I should say... not until some robotic enhancements come along that can exponentially increase your cognitive ability and are affordable for all.

[ralph_i_el]

Our society requires people to not be chilling....so some people can chill. How are you supposed to shoot hoops without someone making the net somewhere? Everyone cant chill. Thats just the real world.

We can more evenly distribute the chilling. American, Mexican, and S. Korean workers work the longest hours on average of any country. In France everyone gets a month paid vacation. Still plenty of courts to hoop on when I went there...and they were HOPPIN. The court in my neighborhood is empty except for Friday and Saturday night.

[Proctor]

He can't outright buy an NBA team as the sole owner, even if he maintained the exact same quality of life as he is living day to day now. So everything you're saying is bullshit. Shut up.

"Infinite level." LOL!

:roll:

Get his ass.

[NBAGOAT]

Ah, the crux of it all. "Should."

Life isn't fair, and thus, the core disagreement. Can we do better? Yes. But "should" will never happen, and it has nothing to do with a broken system... it's just... life.

I agree maybe nothing “should” happen but it can happen. Life isn’t the same from country to country. As he said multiple countries in Europe allow for plenty of leisure time for people who aren’t even high income.

Tbf there are countries where people are a lot more miserable than the us and not just 3rd would countries. Japan has a culture of staying late for work with some people working 80hrs pf overtime a month on top of 40 hr weeks. No coincidence the suicide rate was one of the higher ones.

[ralph_i_el]

Imagine thinking that life will ever be fair. lol.

Hey... at least I should say... not until some robotic enhancements come along that can exponentially increase your cognitive ability and are affordable for all.

Imagine thinking that things can't be more fair, when you can find a million examples of it happening.
If you invented a machine that made everyone an equal 150iq....someone is still flipping burgers for 10/h. It's a job that needs to be done.

[Shogon]

Imagine thinking that things can't be more fair, when you can find a million examples of it happening.

Things can be more fair, I agree. But again, you said "everyone should be able to sleep well" which is literally psychologically impossible because human beings have this illness called "keeping up with the Jones'" and unless everyone had the exact same spending power and exact same living conditions... again, not happening. Life isn't fair. We can do better, but "should" in the way you framed it is impossible minus the cognitive robotic increase.

[ralph_i_el]

I agree maybe nothing “should” happen but it can happen. Life isn’t the same from country to country. As he said multiple countries in Europe allow for plenty of leisure time for people who aren’t even high income.

Tbf there are countries where people are a lot more miserable than the us and not just 3rd would countries. Japan has a culture of staying late for work with some people working 80hrs pf overtime a month on top of 40 hr weeks. No coincidence the suicide rate was one of the higher ones.

Thank you! S. Korea is the same. Your boss literally runs your life, and every job is basically with one of 5 major companies (which trace their origins back to the US supported post WW2 dictatorship). It's sickening.

[ralph_i_el]

Things can be more fair, I agree. But again, you said "everyone should be able to sleep well" which is literally psychologically impossible because human beings have this illness called "keeping up with the Jones'" and unless everyone had the exact same spending power and exact same living conditions... again, not happening. Life isn't fair. We can do better, but "should" in the way you framed it is impossible minus the cognitive robotic increase.

"Keeping up with the Joneses" is a psychological phenomenon pushed on us by marketing firms, starting in the 50's. It's essential for capitalism to have an ever increasing demand to support growth. It's an effort to stave off the tendency of the rate of profit to decrease, as outlined by Marx. Basically, as sectors mature, numerous factors combine to slowly decrease profit margins. This means capital depends on new markets to survive, or eventually the rate of profit hits 0 (This doesn't really apply to profit attained by renting land though). This is how capitalism motivated imperialism.

[rawimpact]

"Keeping up with the Joneses" is a psychological phenomenon pushed on us by marketing firms, starting in the 50's. It's essentially for capitalism to have an ever increasing demand to support growth.

He likes to argue semantics doesnt he?

It's cute, just play along.

[ralph_i_el]

He likes to argue semantics doesnt he?

It's cute, just play along.

Do you deny that the main purpose of modern marketing is to generate envy? That's like the entire point of Instagram.

[NBAGOAT]

Thank you! S. Korea is the same. Your boss literally runs your life, and every job is basically with one of 5 major companies (which trace their origins back to the US supported post WW2 dictatorship). It's sickening.

South Korea might have the highest suicide rate in the world, correct me if I’m wrong. It’s a bit of a political talking point to talk about “asian work ethic” (more so applies to asian Americans) but what’s overlooked is how miserable some people are.

I think multiple studies have shown there is a.certain point where efficiency goes out the window. You’re “working” 12 hours but just sitting around for like 6 of them and that’s a problem in Japan and sk. Ik Microsoft Japan saw efficiency jump when they went to a 4 day week.

[rawimpact]

Do you deny that the main purpose of modern marketing is to generate envy? That's like the entire point of Instagram.

No I don't agree. But then again I'm not a sheep. The purpose of modern marketing is to generate demand. Whether that's with influence (envy) or other.

[ralph_i_el]

South Korea might have the highest suicide rate in the world, correct me if I’m wrong. It’s a bit of a political talking point to talk about “asian work ethic” (more so applies to asian Americans) but what’s overlooked is how miserable some people are.

I think multiple studies have shown there is a.certain point where efficiency goes out the window. You’re “working” 12 hours but just sitting around for like 6 of them and that’s a problem in Japan and sk. Ik Microsoft Japan saw efficiency jump when they went to a 4 day week.

To me, this is just elites killing people to keep everyone in line...with extra steps.

Read Foucault folks. You'll start to see more of the mind control directed at you.

[ralph_i_el]

No I don't agree. But then again I'm not a sheep. The purpose of modern marketing is to generate demand. Whether that's with influence (envy) or other.

What is "other". I understand advertising a cool and useful new product...but that's not most of the ads I see. They're either going for envy, or right for your base needs (mostly sex and hunger lol).

[ralph_i_el]

Going back to Kblaze's point about people needing to work for me to hoop:

The idea of "Consumer Sovereignty" is that the economy produces the things that consumers want to buy (because firms that don't do that go out of business). However, when you have massive inequality, the purchasing power of the rich creates a huge influence on what is being produced. More Bugattis, less basketball courts at the park. As inequality increases, a larger portion of what is produced is directed towards a smaller % of people.

Go look up the Hudson Yards development in NYC as an example. It's a massive empty luxury shopping and business development, that the vast majority of New Yorkers will not get anything from, even though their government subsidized it. That space could have gone to a lot of things that would have made working people's lives better...but they don't have the money so **** em!

[tpols]

I know. There is one here that pays 17+ an hour and I personally know people who dont apply there or at BMW(21+ an hour now) due to being content smoking kush and playing madden.

One of them literally work at Arbys. Cool guy. We hang out. Ive known him since the early 90s.

But he makes what he decides is fine. His moms house apparently suits him.

tell them to buy a sub solution kit for 80 bucks online. its the easiest pass in the world, companies dont watch you while you piss like a court ordered one would.

[Kblaze8855]

He’s not that worried about it. All he has to pay for is his phone bill and his weed habit. He worked at this place that bottled pills for a while years ago but quit. He’s content I guess. Not like he has kids to feed.

[Gruppenführer]

Poor Vin Baker is probably banging on the side of a broken espresso machine right now while Shaq is on every commercial on TV.

[HoopsNY]

No matter what I do, someone needs to be flipping burgers right? Even if everyone goes to school, studies real hard, has a 150 IQ and works 7 days a week....someone has to flip burgers right?

Doesn't effect me. I get to be a millionaire with no work, because my daddy sold weapons to the government and my wife's grandpa....sold weapons to the government. Woooo. I got a whole crew of guys in today renovating the house I just bought. I just know the score.

Again, owning a Five Guys franchise is worthless without workers getting paid less money than they bring in.

Right now in America we have socialism for the rich and competition for the poor.

You're on to something there. What I notice about privileged people is that they want the luxury of being catered to (the hotel cleaners, the Starbucks workers, the delivery guys), without those guys having a livable wage.

And to boil it down to "just get a better job with more skills," completely removes the limitations that society places on people who are born into poverty.

[Kblaze8855]

A better job than flipping burgers requires little more than applying to a lot of them and not being on drugs. You don’t even need a GED to get jobs in retail full time for more than McDonald’s money. Plenty of managers don’t even have a diploma or GED. It’s just hard to get ahead by doing little to make it happen besides wishing.

Its hard to go from the poorhouse to the penthouse. Poorhouse to a clean working class neighborhood 2 bed house is within reach.

[HBK_Kliq_2]

I'm surprised he's not close to a billionaire yet. Shaq net worth 400 million and Jordan net worth 2.1 billion. Not sure how accurate those numbers are though.

[HoopsNY]

Ah, the crux of it all. "Should."

Life isn't fair, and thus, the core disagreement. Can we do better? Yes. But "should" will never happen, and it has nothing to do with a broken system... it's just... life.

No. Government decided that isn't fair. The rules ralph is speaking about are determined by people in power, not people like you and me.

[HoopsNY]

A better job than flipping burgers requires little more than applying to a lot of them and not being on drugs. You don’t even need a GED to get jobs in retail full time for more than McDonald’s money. Plenty of managers don’t even have a diploma or GED. It’s just hard to get ahead by doing little to make it happen besides wishing.

Its hard to go from the poorhouse to the penthouse. Poorhouse to a clean working class neighborhood 2 bed house is within reach.

That pre-supposes that retail gets you a standard of living that is deemed normal by everyone in the world (except us). Retail doesn't give you financial freedom. Heck, I'm not sure you can even afford a 2 bedroom apartment with a retail salary (which also tends to be minimum wage or slightly above it).

So such people are back to square one.

Look, income inequality is obviously there, and it's growing. Obviously something has to give. And the fact that we have this problem in the wealthiest country in the world is astonishing. Do you really boil that down to the choices of people? Sure, there are some that do make bad choices, but I'd reckon that they aren't anywhere near the majority or even a significant minority.

I live in NYC where rents are $2,000-3,000 a month. You can say "well move," but is it that simple? It really isn't.

[rmt]

My grandad has Parkinson's. He has a nurse from Ghana who used to be a doctor in his home country. He wants to be a doctor in America, but he keeps getting his applications for residency denied. Turns out, there's a very limited number of these spots, and you either need connections or to be a military vet to get one. He's a very kind and intelligent man. He wipes my grandpa's ass for a living.

Our system is set up to provide an artificial scarcity of doctors, which keeps their salaries high...and the cost of healthcare high as well. Healthcare is an essential need. The high cost of it contributes to the desperate situation of workers. The artificially high salaries of doctors leads them to lean conservative (muh taxes), and continue to perpetuate the system that keeps us artificially short on doctors.

Put it shortly, way more people want to be doctors (and have the competence), but can't. This is on purpose.

Cuba is a poor country, due to years of imperialism profiting off their natural resources, and a 60+ year American embargo. If you want to be a doctor in Cuba, money is no obstacle. They have better healthcare outcomes than the US at a fraction of the cost, and can afford to send doctors overseas to serve in even poorer countries.

If you are so unhappy living in the US, maybe you ought to go live in Cuba.

[NBAGOAT]

If you are so unhappy living in the US, maybe you ought to go live in Cuba.

that's the thing. It's too expensive for poor people to even move to another city/state let alone another country. You think a guy with a low paying blue collar job doesnt know san francisco is not the place to live if you want decent housing. The cost of moving/not even having a car along with some sociological factors prevent a lot of mobility. Stats says 72% of americans live close to where they grew up. that's just way too high a number when it's just better to live in certain areas when you have certain jobs.

[rmt]

that's the thing. It's too expensive for poor people to even move to another city/state let alone another country. You think a guy with a low paying blue collar job doesnt know san francisco is not the place to live if you want decent housing. The cost of moving/not even having a car along with some sociological factors prevent a lot of mobility. Stats says 72% of americans live close to where they grew up. that's just way too high a number when it's just better to live in certain areas when you have certain jobs.

In the US, one has the opportunity. In Cuba, there is NONE.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StNCmOBDIag

[ralph_i_el]

In the US, one has the opportunity. In Cuba, there is NONE.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StNCmOBDIag

Lol what does Morgan Freeman know about anything? He's an actor. He's paid to make you believe something. If he was going to say the opposite, would they have let him on the news? The people who own the stations own the rest of society too.

Did you miss the spot earlier in the thread where I mentioned that any Cuban can become a doctor without worrying about paying for med school? That's an opportunity they have that you don't. Any Cuban has the opportunity of getting healthcare, even if they're broke. They have the opportunity to work short hours and spend time with their friends and family, because they aren't worried about being thrown out on their ass for missing rent. They have public spaces where people are supposed to hang out, as opposed to America where everything is roped off and monetized.

You ever met a Cuban?

[red1]

yup. he's also majority owner of the three laker three-peat rings. ownership is the main lesson taught in the big shaqtus school of business.


he'll also suck the venom out of your mom's titties.

https://t1.daumcdn.net/thumb/R600x0/?fname=http%3A%2F%2Fsimg.donga.com%2Fugc%2FMLBPARK %2FBoard%2F15%2F88%2F95%2F49%2F1588954943743.jpg

[Norcaliblunt]

Good for Shaq but making money off mass produced and marketed junk food is lightweight immoral. Especially when you have enough money already.

[rmt]

Lol what does Morgan Freeman know about anything? He's an actor. He's paid to make you believe something. If he was going to say the opposite, would they have let him on the news? The people who own the stations own the rest of society too.

Did you miss the spot earlier in the thread where I mentioned that any Cuban can become a doctor without worrying about paying for med school? That's an opportunity they have that you don't. Any Cuban has the opportunity of getting healthcare, even if they're broke. They have the opportunity to work short hours and spend time with their friends and family, because they aren't worried about being thrown out on their ass for missing rent. They have public spaces where people are supposed to hang out, as opposed to America where everything is roped off and monetized.

You ever met a Cuban?

The point is that both Don Lemon and Morgan Freeman came from poverty and made huge successes of themselves. And in America, one has the freedom and opportunity to do so. In Cuba, there is no such freedom.

Do you think I would trade my freedom in America to live anywhere I want, to be anything I want, to travel anywhere I want, to do anything I want for the price of the government paying for med school? No thanks.

I live in Miami-Dade surrounded by Cubans. One of my very best friends came over on a raft with nothing but her husband (who was seasick) and her 7 year old son in her lap for a whole day (not moving, no bathroom) petrified of the raft over-turning. Her story is so inspiring - leaving her parents/other family behind to flee for freedom - and the story - not speaking English, driving 45 mins each way to take COBOL programming classes and raising a family and grandchildren here.

She told me of a horse dying and her father went to the police to report it. By the time the police arrived, the horse had been butchered by her neighbors - there was no meat left on the animal because these poor people are so starved for ANY meat. So please don't tell me about, Cuba and their fantastic health care system when they don't have even the most basic food groups (as usual, only the well-connected get the meat).

I cannot believe that people would take for granted the freedom and liberty that we enjoy in this country - do you think you'd be watching the NBA in Cuba? Do you think you could go to any number of homeless shelters, food banks, churches and get food if you asked in Cuba? smh.