Larry David is a near-billionaire

[Syrinx]

Don't get me wrong. I like Seinfeld reruns. They are funny.

And I like Curb Your Enthusiasm too. That show is also very funny.

But isn't something wrong with our system, when a couple of funny guys are set to share a 1.7 billion dollar windfall for making a funny tv show, when teachers do good to make 40k a year, and a good 15% of Americans are living in abject poverty?

I'm not sure about Seinfeld. He seems annoyingly smug to me. But I think Larry David might agree with my viewpoint.

I don't think Seinfeld and David are necessarily bad people. But I do think something is sick about a society that lets something like this happen.

[Hannah Bell]

1. kr

[HughBeaumont]

2. I'd rather someone become a billionaire off of the arts . . ..

. . . than on the backs of laid-off workers, slave-cost labor and dead soldiers/citizens.

The answer is that they ALL need to have a TMTR of at least 45% to even this out.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

34. Yep.

[RandomThoughts]

3. There is an imbalance there.

However, sometimes a message can be worth some imbalance, and a worker should receive their wages, so modest income makes sense also.

[KharmaTrain]

4. So Making Money From Your Talents Is Evil?

Firstly, I have two children who are school teachers and admire how hard they work and their dedication. I not only think they're worth every penny they earn but triple that...unfortunately the school districts and the taxpayers in their districts don't believe so. I also have a relative who is a professor at a well-known medical school who makes in excess of seven figures...his work in both research and teaching has saved many lives. Is he wrong for taking the money he's earned?

The saying goes if someone offers you the money, you're a fool not to take it. For example, I may not think an athlete is worth $20 million a year, but someone else is willing to pay the money. Right or wrong, it's their money and they feel its a good investment. Should we have everyone justify every penny they spend; even if a majority thinks its foolish?

I have no feelings about Larry David or Seinfeld...their shows aren't my cup of tea. However, millions do enjoy their work and the networks and advertisers feel the same way (making money as well). Aren't they entitled to profit from their work? I've known of Larry David since his work on Fridays in the late 70s. He's struggled in a very competitive world and has risen above. I tip my hat to the man. Also, if he's made all that money and has wisely invested, then I tip my hat twice. We all should have such good fortune.

[Syrinx]

5. I don't think I called anyone evil

I even said that I think Larry David might agree with me.

I implied that I think our values as a nation may be a bit out of whack. When a comedian makes enough money to live a thousand years, and other people are struggling to survive.

[Warren DeMontague]

6. I think our values as a nation are out of whack b/c we spend a half trillion a year on "defense"

You want teachers to make more money, take it from there, or take it from the $40 Billion a year we spend to throw some guy smoking a joint in a prison cell.

Teacher pay, prison cells, and stealth bomber construction are the purview and rightful domain of government and can be directly linked to "our values as a nation".

How much money an artist makes by providing something that other people are freely willing to pay him or her for isn't really anyone else's business. If someone "makes lots of money", that's where a progressive taxation system comes in. But it's lunacy to try to think that there should be some central scale that tells everyone how much they should get for doing what. If people like something and buy it, the person who makes it gets money for it. That's how it works, and "our values as a nation" don't really enter into it, unless you don't like that large numbers of people watch comedy and as such networks find it a valuable commodity.

[KharmaTrain]

7. We're Definitely Whacked...

You get no argument from me on that matter but I see you having bad feeling toward someone who legitimately earned his money through many years of hard work. We have a society that values glamor and status...having the most toys as a hallmark of success. And it's all based on the mighty dollar. I don't think there's anyone who as a kid didn't dream of being rich or famous and this is the drive that motivates some and is exploited by others.

The one thing we don't know about Mr. David is what he does with that money. I'm sure he donates and writes some big checks that goes to benefit those less fortunate. I know his former wife was very involved in many good causes. Many wealthy people are the quiet benefactors of important charities and other services and do so quietly. Money can be used for good as much as greed.

We live in a very selfish era...our "consumer" society has put material wealth above all else and the disparity of wealth is what you're seeing. Those with money continue to make it, those who don't get whatever scraps are thrown aside. I've been on both sides and trust me I used to fume when I saw someone with less talent or work ethic that I had who was making big money while I was raiding dumpsters for lunch. It would be ideal if everyone could make more money than they needed but life just doesn't work that way...it's downright unfair.

Cheers...

[onenote]

22. we're hardly the only nation that rewards entertainers

In fact, I don't know of a country in the world that doesn't have some entertainers, etc. that are wealthier than teachers etc.

[Butch350]

27. But they give those struggling people...

a moment of happiness - buy making them laugh - and laughter is good medicine.

Is "misery loves company" the theme here?

[TBF]

10. Nope, it is the system (Capitalism) that is evil -

inherently unequal and encourages this type of behavior.

[KharmaTrain]

11. It's All Perspective

If the system works for you, it's the greatest in the world...but for the rest, you suck eggs and keep smiling. When unregulated and the system is gamed, like we see these days, yes, it's a system that is "evil" or whatever name you choose. When it's a more open and fair system (it'll never be 100%) it allows people like Larry David to take his talents and hard work and are rewarded for them. It was a system that opened many doors in the 90s with the boom of the personal computer and the internet, it can be one that creates many new opportunities and innovations in green technology. The major problem right now is we have a lot of immoral and selfish people and corporates who have written the laws to suit their purposes and spread their money to keep it that way.

[TBF]

17. That "perspective" is narrowing -

we currently have the top 1% of the country enjoying 35% of net worth, and 43% of financial wealth. Sure it's working just fine for the top 1%.



more at this link: http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html

[KharmaTrain]

18. The Problem Of Narrowing Is Eventually It Strangles

So what's your solution? Distribution of wealth? Good luck with that.

Our system is suffering from 30 years of crony capitalism in its rawest form...call it a new "guilded age" that had a similar impact on this country a century ago. That resulted in the rise of the labor movement and progressive legislation. The problem with such an imbalance, especially in a consumer society, is the rich can't sell among themselves...without a vital consumer economy its gains will diminish and all that money will become worth less and less. The question is when do we reach this tipping point.

Cheers...

[TBF]

32. I'd vote for a new economic system -

but I know I'm in the minority on that. Barring that I'd say return to the taxation levels of the 50's (but that's not going to happen under Obama either). So I guess we'll see if people protest as it gets worse, or if they willingly turn to fascism.

At this point your guess is as good as mine. I see friends/family daily brainwashed by watching FOX news, and no idea how this will turn out.

[mainer]

24. "this type of behavior." Telling jokes and being good at it?

Dear god, what horrible behavior.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

38. People enjoy lots of things and the producers of those things get extremely rich

But income disparity is income disparity.

[Democat]

8. Larry David entertains millions of people a week.

An average teacher probably doesn't meet a million people in their lifetime.

[atomic-fly]

9. Go Larry David...

If anybody gets rich I'd rather it be him, I'm sure he is a total
disfunctional near billionaire.

[GoCubsGo]

12. So, what your saying is....

Entertainers are more important, and therefore more deserving of higher pay, than teachers because they "reach more people"?

[mainer]

28. Not more important. Just rarer specimens.

It's NOT FAIR that I have to pay more for a rare Ming vase than I do for the vase they sell at Walmart. They're both vases! They both do the same thing! Why should I pay for a vase just because it's fine porcelain?

[Democat]

50. Not exactly.

I'm just saying that Larry David works for many more people than a single teacher. If someone gets paid for entertaining a million people, he is probably going to make more money than someone who gets paid for teaching a hundred people. I don't think it's necessarily unfair.

[mucifer]

13. I love Larry David's humor. But, it is wrong that he makes that much money

It's just wrong and kinda sick when you think about home many people in our country don't have adequate food or shelter.

[Vinca]

14. Larry David makes me laugh and these days that's worth more than a billion dollars.

[Stevenmarc]

15. Next time you watch the show pay attention to the credits...

They kept a lot of people employed over the years.

[mucifer]

16. But, should ONE person have a billion dollars? I think that's crazy. nt.

[cbdo2007]

30. Not just those on the show - but the Seinfeld show has probably helped

to employ many thousands of people over the years.

The show has brought in a total of $2.7 Billion over the past 20 years. Think of all of the people even at your local TV affiliates who have benefited from this money, and the number of people at NBC who they were able to employ because of this, etc.

Jerry himself they said is worth $800 Million - not all of which is Seinfeld money - so that's $2 Billion that has helped employ thousands of people across the country and gone to help countless more people through them.

I don't have a problem with it.

[deutsey]

19. You're obviously a member of the reality-based community.

We're a shrinking minority in America these days.

[Nye Bevan]

20. Larry David deserves it more than Bill Gates (nt)

[Javaman]

21. So he makes money off of the public by entertaining them via his talent, then in turn

invests it wisely and that makes this bad?

I have no issue with people making money. They can make huge piles of money.

The issue, as I have said in the past, is the person.

Money is neutral, it is neither bad nor good. It's what the person who owns it to decide how to use it?

Are you a good witch or a bad witch?

Larry Davis is a good witch.

karl rove is a bad witch.

see?

[mainer]

23. The more unique your ability and talent, the more you earn.

Not many people can do what Larry David does. Not many people can do what JK Rowling does. Is it fair that they get paid so much more than the person who cleans houses, something that almost every one of us can do?

The Larry Davids of the world earn their fortunes because out of all the human beings in the country, including the millions of us who can clean houses, only he managed to create Seinfeld.

[Grabo]

25. Larry and Jerry

created what I'm guessing is the most successful sitcom in the history of television. They both deserve anything that they earn from it.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

26. Eh.

:*

[cbdo2007]

29. Who posted this, Richard Lewis??

haha

[mainer]

31. Ha ha, Richard Lewis is a hoot -- and a bit odd.

I ran into him once in a hotel bar. Looked totally wasted.

[EFerrari]

37. One night I was watching him, I think on Ferguson

and he started doing the five minutes I wrote for Doug about Bush.

RICHARD LEWIS, if that's you, you owe me $50!

:rofl:

[geek tragedy]

40. Maybe Ted Danson. nt

[Tommy_Carcetti]

43. No. He's Anonymous. :) nt

[AngryAmish]

33. In the Chicago area, high school teachers average $72,850

Plus benefits - typically full medical and pension - but less social security that they don't get.

Not bad for nine months work, no? over 97k if they worked year round.

link

[Hissyspit]

35. The 'nine months work' crap, hunh?

[joeybee12]

44. Um, what's the cost of living in Chicago...dare I assume it might

be pretty high?

[AngryAmish]

49. It depends where you live.

This is a large geographical area not just in Chicago but also the surrounding suburbs and exurbs. Inner city to horse country. Is Illinois a high cost state? Higher than most, less than silicon valley, boston, ny metro, seattle area. Very diverse. This is an average. Some make more, some make less. In Chicago the average is just under $70k for a public school teacher. Remember also Catholic and private schools are in this number, bringing it down.

[Johonny]

36. I agree only the heads of studios should make money off the entertainment industry

the Unionized writers, actors, people behind the camera should just kiss their * and feel lucky enough to have food to eat that night.

[AlabamaLibrul]

41. Damn skippy they should be grateful! The SAG average is about $5,000 a year, don'tchaknow.

:sarcasm:

[proud2BlibKansan]

39. So?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

42. I don't have a problem with people making a lot of money per se.

I just think with that money comes responsibilities. Two in particular:

1. If you are a millioniare or a billionaire, you have to understand that as part of a progressive taxation system you should have to pay a greater percentage of your income than those in the lower brackets. Because you can pay that share of taxes and still remain a very rich individual. A person in the lower bracket would take a much greater hit if subjected to the same percentage that you would be.

2. You have to make your money legally, responsibly and you should agree that your business should be subjected to reasonable regulations to protect the consumers and the greater public.

[nadinbrzezinski]

45. Yes it is a problem

I don't begrudge them their talent but that is a symptom of the problem. Our priorities are skewed and don't get me started with distribution of wealth.

[Iggo]

46. The problem is not how much he makes.

It's how little we are taxing him.

[stopbush]

47. What's wrong with the system?

Larry David's creative talents have not only brought joy to millions through his TV productions, but said productions have put a mirror up to a society that isn't exactly strong on self reflection.

That's doing a lot more for America than what the typical Wall Streeter pulling down a billion A YEAR does for the average Joe.

And let's be clear here, Larry David is a few notches above the average teacher pulling down $40k a year, or the average anybody, for that matter, not to mention that he went through his salad days of driving a cab in NYC to make ends meet. He's paid his dues and he's made something of his talent. What's more American than that?

If anyone deserves that kind of wealth, it's Larry David.

[deaniac21]

48. Larry David brings many hours of pure pleasure to me and

millions. Worth every cent. He is a genius.