Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

DH, BIL and I got into a big debate last night stemming from Howard Sterns huge contract with Sirius. 100 million a year for 5 years. My DH and i both felt that this amount of money is ludicrous and you could easily live on 100 or 200 million and donate the rest. Also a part of this conversation was during Michelle 31's recap of adopting her son in Ethiopia (Interested click here )

she said that her and her husband doubled their sons foster familys income for the year by giving them $30. When you think about what $100 can do for a family like that.... Discuss!

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

When people make huge amounts of money, the economy makes out, and a lot of people benefit. Who is going to buy huge mansions, large yachts, or private jets unless they make tons of money. The number of people employed to build and maintain a large yacht is fairly large. In a free-market society, people are paid what someone thinks they are worth. Apparently, to Sirius, they believe that Howard is worth that much, so that's what he's worth. While it would be nice if he donated money to charity, I don't believe it is mandatory. His lifestyle now requires a much larger sum of money to "survive". Most people in the US have more money than they "have" to have. If you are reading this, you have access to a computer and the Internet. Couldn't someone with less money say "Do you really need that much money? You should donate more."

I'm sure there will be lots of people who disagree with me, but that's just my opinion on this....

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

That 500 million is not his (Howard Sterns) salary - it is the production costs to do the show.

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

NO ONE else has an opinion on this?? I can't believe it..

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Well, if Howard didn't get 500 million, how would Robin have her boat and Artie get his heroin. I think Artie could be considered a charity case.


In all seriousness, I agree with GoldenRod. I don't think that anyone can really judge how much someone else should give to charity, unless you know their whole financial situation. If you are going to compare lower income givers to higher income givers, it should not be based upon dollar amount, it should be based on percentages in order to be fair. Also, in a celebrity's case, they may not donate money, they may donate time or promotional services to draw attention to a charity.

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Do I think he should donate? Absolutely. Would I donate? Absolutely. But would I want to keep a lot of money for my family? Absolutely. 200 million, say, which is what he's getting...then say he's gotta get taxed on that...then he's got an ex-wife who gets alimony and he pays child support. He's got two girls in college. A million bucks ain't what it used to be. I know he's COMPLETELY loaded, but I'm sure he's looking out for his family as well. I can't even imagine what his ex-wife is getting in alimony or what his child support must be. And I'm sure he's socking some of that money away for his girls.

But definitely, he should be donating something -- even if he only did it for tax purposes

I donate and I don't have a pot to pi$$ in or a window to throw it out of!

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Posted by Blazesyth

Well, if Howard didn't get 500 million, how would Robin have her boat and Artie get his heroin. I think Artie could be considered a charity case.


In all seriousness, I agree with GoldenRod. I don't think that anyone can really judge how much someone else should give to charity, unless you know their whole financial situation. If you are going to compare lower income givers to higher income givers, it should not be based upon dollar amount, it should be based on percentages in order to be fair. Also, in a celebrity's case, they may not donate money, they may donate time or promotional services to draw attention to a charity.

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

my opinion is this....

EVERYONE is responsible/accountible to and for everyone else.

we should ALL be helping those less fortunate...why should one suffer and one gain???

I am not a socialist...I understand some people get more/make more and all that...it's fine.

but when people are living in the streets..no, it's just not fair.

I work for the US Govt...don't make a ton of cash...but I donate money every year to 5 different charities through the Combined Federal Campaign.

doctors without borders
unicef
african aids watch
City Harvest
City Meals on Wheel

it's important to me to spread my "generosity" to my backyard in Brooklyn, as well as to my global backyard.

Many very rich people give to charities...partially b/c I think they have a heart, and partially b/c it behooves them tax wise to do so.

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Posted by LaurenExp

Do I think he should donate? Absolutely. Would I donate? Absolutely. But would I want to keep a lot of money for my family? Absolutely. 200 million, say, which is what he's getting...then say he's gotta get taxed on that...then he's got an ex-wife who gets alimony and he pays child support. He's got two girls in college. A million bucks ain't what it used to be. I know he's COMPLETELY loaded, but I'm sure he's looking out for his family as well. I can't even imagine what his ex-wife is getting in alimony or what his child support must be. And I'm sure he's socking some of that money away for his girls.

But definitely, he should be donating something -- even if he only did it for tax purposes

I donate and I don't have a pot to pi$$ in or a window to throw it out of!

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Maybe he (an other celebrites) make sizable charitable donations we are not aware of.

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

I saw a 20/20 special on this and lower income people donate a larger percentage of there money then the wealthest people in this country

with a few expections- Bill Gates and someone else my mind is drawing a blank

I think people should give what they feel comfortable with-

and I would guess that in this case Howard gets alot less on that $500M then you think

Taxes, Lawyers, Agent, Managers - all have there hands out for there slice of the pie- I would guess then celebs net about 25-30% of the money they gross

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

There is a quote my mom always used to say when I was younger...Live simply so others may simply live.

The thing is that no one lives simply anymore and sadly, that means a great deal of the world is not living.

My husband and I watched a thing on National Geographic Channel. This guy went to Africa and visited with families who were dying from a bug bite. They had no water, sores all over their bodies and all they needed was a friggin vaccine. He looked at me and said, "No matter how in debt we are, we are still so rich." And he's right. Compared to the other 95% of the world, we so privilged. The thing is that once you have that money, you get used to it. Too many people don't care and too many people prefer to be ignorant. Nobody wants to change. I'm sure Howard looooves his money...think he'll want to say, "Hey, I really don't need THAT much money." Doubt it.

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

I think Howard worked very hard his entire career to earn his money and who is to say that he should give it to anyone.

The same goes for anyone else.

You work hard, you make money, its yours to decide whether you want to flush it down the toilet or give it to charity.

JMHO

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Philosophical Followup question -

If a doctor made the same amount of money as a celebrity... would you say that they should also donate 'more' ? Or is it only because they are a celebrity and have an 'easier job' that they should be responsible for giving more?

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

Re: Philosophical Question regarding income and charity

I think everyone should donate more. I do think the more you make, the more you can give, but I think that sometimes the more you give, the more you are hit up for donations too.

I did find it interesting to see that some celebrities were donating $1 million after the Tsunami or Hurricane Katrina. Maybe these people spread out many donations to many charities and you don't hear about them. Maybe they don't want to make public how much they give, so that every charity is not knocking on their door. Who really knows?