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Except billionaires become billionaires because it’s a gift from the government. This is what I believe: a corporate billionaire’s wealth is a fraction of the

Except billionaires become billionaires because it’s a gift from the government. This is what I believe: a corporate billionaire’s wealth is a fraction of the valuation of the company and what it is capable of delivering. What the govt does is offer the supports and environment for it to thrive. You need the government’s blessings. (Not the politicians’..there is a big difference) When a company delivers maximum value to the public good in the form of public investment potential, jobs, services..then it is not because of the billionaire but because of the potential value and national stability his product or company provides. A good example is Jeff Bezos. He might be worth billions but the sheer amount of value derived from investing in Amazon shares(pension funds do this .. for example) and the money supply and movement created by the jobs Amazon provides is more valuable than the services Amazon provides to people. Anyone can be an online book seller, but Amazon can employ thousands and also give an opportunity for a little old lady to collect her pension after working as office admin in a local school. What the govt wants is stability in economy. This isn’t about politicians or parties. Ultimately they all strive towards keeping America stable and Americans happy. An unstable economy leads to revolts and revolution. Think Syria or South Africa. Happy citizens = stable economy. Stable economy = lights are on and tables are full = peace. Unstable countries are run by corrupt politicians and dictators. Not a government. Musk doesn’t get it. He doesn’t come from a stable country and cannot comprehend how America works. His opinion might be valid in South Africa but not here. We do have a stable govt that is vested with the nation’s welfare. Our govt is not against us. Also why Amazon and Google and Facebook(not anymore. Meta will fail) will have more Godfathers in the Govt than any SoftBank company. Because SoftBank investments for example will benefit Japan and Saudi money and not benefit the common man in America. These home grown American companies represent American soft power globally. They will always be treasured and will get an extra bowl of soup. The others will get stepchild treatment unless they aid America. As it should be. Any nation should look after its own interests first. These unicorn companies didn’t get there by themselves or just because of their founders. They had help. Because they pledged commitment to the United States to help and be helped. Again..Elon Musk doesn’t get it. He might be American now but he acts like he hasn’t accepted the country that has adopted him. He couldn’t have become the success he is in any other country other than America. Doesn’t have appreciation or know how to say Thank you before asking for the next helping. He has definitely managed to become a problem. He is like a guy who is completely oblivious that the girl likes him but continues to insult her because he thinks it’s good for a laugh as buddies. The girl..America…has a crush on him, but wants respect in what can be a potential great relationship.

jerojero 4y ago
Yes I agree with you. But is America more interested in its people (humans) or its corporations (which according to American law they are people). And how do these decisions affect the world as a whole? Is America such a special place that it should be above every other country in the world? I think in many ways, America (the nation) falls into pretty much the same trap that Musk falls into but on a higher level of complexity. The so called American exceptionalism. In reality, you see this thinking permeate every level. Apple definitely thinks they know best, so do every other company, so do their boards, so do their billionaires, so does their country. So I'm not sure I agree when you say that Musk doesn't get it, I think he gets it very well but doesn't get it right. And neither does anyone in America (the nation). But historically this phenomenon isn't something that's unique to America but it is the curse of pretty much every empire in history. Every empire thinks they're the one to lead the world to greatness and they of course play a part. But every empire rises and then falls. So why would America be any different? I believe we're only going to get out of this trap when the world truly comes together and power and decision making become completely decentralised.
- jelliclesfarm 4y ago
  You are addressing two diff issues. America Vs Rest of the world is a diff topic from America vs Musk. I wasn’t commenting about anything that would suggest that America should/should not be above the rest of the world. This was merely about relationships between America and the billionaires USA fosters. Without a doubt, the billionaires of America wouldn’t exist without American govt’s benevolence. The difference between other oligarchies and America is that America is benevolent to those who keep our economy stable and it is in the interest of the people(employment, environment etc). Talking about American exceptionalism is slightly off topic, imo. America is not cursed. It’s not perfect but very naturally, it’s interests are aligned towards the welfare of Americans and America’s position in the world. America will support anyone who makes this possible. This isn’t always true of many countries in the world as corrupt leaders and tribalism destabilizes the nation. We have a stable economy. On balance, America is better than most other countries in terms like environment, hunger, employment etc. Cultural factors of our diverse population is not the failure of the nation. It’s called freedom. Example: malnutrition in poorer countries is due to lack of food or drought or famine. Malnutrition in America is mostly due to bad food choices of individuals. It is not the failure of America to keep its populace well fed. We have the cheapest food and the best supply chains. That’s all the govt can do. Etc. America is not perfect but anyone ..including immigrants..can become billionaires here. As it’s been proven again and again. I doubt if this is possible anywhere else in the world at our scale and reach. Bashing America for perceived fill-in-the-blanks is weak. Often it’s a case of sour grapes even though US is not perfect.

jerojero 4y ago

Yes I agree with you. But is America more interested in its people (humans) or its corporations (which according to American law they are people). And how do these decisions affect the world as a whole? Is America such a special place that it should be above every other country in the world? I think in many ways, America (the nation) falls into pretty much the same trap that Musk falls into but on a higher level of complexity. The so called American exceptionalism. In reality, you see this thinking permeate every level. Apple definitely thinks they know best, so do every other company, so do their boards, so do their billionaires, so does their country. So I'm not sure I agree when you say that Musk doesn't get it, I think he gets it very well but doesn't get it right. And neither does anyone in America (the nation). But historically this phenomenon isn't something that's unique to America but it is the curse of pretty much every empire in history. Every empire thinks they're the one to lead the world to greatness and they of course play a part. But every empire rises and then falls. So why would America be any different? I believe we're only going to get out of this trap when the world truly comes together and power and decision making become completely decentralised.

jelliclesfarm 4y ago
You are addressing two diff issues. America Vs Rest of the world is a diff topic from America vs Musk. I wasn’t commenting about anything that would suggest that America should/should not be above the rest of the world. This was merely about relationships between America and the billionaires USA fosters. Without a doubt, the billionaires of America wouldn’t exist without American govt’s benevolence. The difference between other oligarchies and America is that America is benevolent to those who keep our economy stable and it is in the interest of the people(employment, environment etc). Talking about American exceptionalism is slightly off topic, imo. America is not cursed. It’s not perfect but very naturally, it’s interests are aligned towards the welfare of Americans and America’s position in the world. America will support anyone who makes this possible. This isn’t always true of many countries in the world as corrupt leaders and tribalism destabilizes the nation. We have a stable economy. On balance, America is better than most other countries in terms like environment, hunger, employment etc. Cultural factors of our diverse population is not the failure of the nation. It’s called freedom. Example: malnutrition in poorer countries is due to lack of food or drought or famine. Malnutrition in America is mostly due to bad food choices of individuals. It is not the failure of America to keep its populace well fed. We have the cheapest food and the best supply chains. That’s all the govt can do. Etc. America is not perfect but anyone ..including immigrants..can become billionaires here. As it’s been proven again and again. I doubt if this is possible anywhere else in the world at our scale and reach. Bashing America for perceived fill-in-the-blanks is weak. Often it’s a case of sour grapes even though US is not perfect.