Category: Jeff Bezos

By on 1 Comment

I remember, in the good old days, when second weddings were a sedate affair. This was particularly true if the people getting married were having an affair which prompted the dissolution of their first marriages. The idea was that the marriage was necessary for respectability but let’s not shine a spotlight on the adultery of the bride and groom. It would be a small gathering probably at the city hall or a private home with a small reception afterwards.

But far be it for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez to quietly celebrate their nuptials. They are spending millions. You heard that right. Millions for a wedding. There is even concern that the city of Venice would be unable to cope with the number of guests their wedding will bring into the city.

Their guest list is a who’s who of the rich and famous. Here are just some of the names being bandied around: Leonardo DiCaprio, Eva Longoria, Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, Brian Glazer, Barbra Streisand, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner,  and Jewel. I would be surprised if the happy couple actually knows all of these people on a personal level that would warrant a normal person to invite someone to their wedding. It’s just a collection of rich and famous people who will add to the fabulousness of the day.

There are times when VIPs should read the room and behave accordingly. The USA is entering a time of great economic tumult. There are real fears about jobs, 401Ks and Social Security. Maybe a little less ostentatious display of conspicuous consumption is in order here.

But far be it for a billionaire to take advice from me. I wish them all the luck in the world.

By on

Apparently Jeff Bezos has billions of dollars to burn through and is looking for people to help him. He just donated a $100 million to Dolly Parton. It is presumed that Parton will help Bezos distribute his extra money to worthy charities. Given her history, I believe that she will. Parton has proven herself a generous woman as she is credited with giving Vanderbilt Medical Center money in order to help find the COVID vaccine.

But, with absolutely no animus towards Parton, why give her even more money to give away. She has so much of her own money that she is already giving it away. So Bezos gives her even more to give away? Whenever I hear about money transfers like this I have to ask, why not take this money out in taxes and let our legislatures determine where it goes. The money is there. The rich are giving it away. They clearly don’t need it for their business. Why let billionaires decide where the money goes?

I can hear people say the Government will only waste it. Perhaps. But there is a fundamental difference here. A Republican led government could put the money to tax breaks, bringing down the national debt, or helping energy companies find oil. Democrats can use it on providing better social services. The key here is that in both cases a number of people are looking at the public good and making a decision that they think is best for the country. I might disagree with the decision but I feel better about a legislative body looking into it than having a single billionaire deciding on a whim.

I mean what if Dolly wants to talk to the animals? Based on her desire, she drops the $100 million into charities that work with humans trying to talk to animals. A noble enterprise I am sure, but is it really the best use of money when we have so many other pressing needs? And, more importantly, why leave this decision to one citizen. And really why does any citizen have so much money that they are giving away $100 million to another wealthy person.

Since Bezos has $100 million to give to Dolly Parton, it mean he can pay more in taxes without a detrimental effect on his life or his business. He is giving it away already. I say if you are giving away $100 million you are begging to be taxed more. Let’s do it.