Is it okay for one person to have so much money?

Polls

19th January 2018

There was good news for two men this week, including one who became so rich at the age of 20 that he’s already retired!

Shane Missler is the lucky American man who won the $451m (£330m) jackpot in the Florida Lottery’s Mega Millions draw. Instead of getting the prize paid in instalments over his lifetime, he opted to take a one-off cash sum of $281m (£204.5m) instead.

“I’m only 20,” he said, “but I hope to use it to pursue a variety of passions, help my family and do some good for humanity.”

But, even with more than £200m in the bank, Missler still has a long way to go to beat Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, who is now 377 times richer than Missler, after his personal wealth increased by $6bn to $106bn (£77bn). Bezos is said to be the richest person in the world, although it’s thought that some people in other countries may have secret (or illegal) fortunes that are even bigger.

But, with many people now struggling to make ends meet, is it ever right for one person to win or earn so much? However, the Florida Lottery gives millions to education in the state and sends poor kids to university, and many would say that Amazon provides a great service and helps people to buy things cheaper than they could elsewhere, so it isn’t an easy question.

Is it okay for one person to have so much money?

63 Comments

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· 8 years ago

No way! It's a horrible thing for someone to have so much money when people are dying for the lack of it!! If I had that much money then at least 90% of it would be given to charity.

Benjyb1 · 8 years ago

No if i had that much a would give half to charity

Benjyb1 · 8 years ago

No if i had that much a would give half to charity and to help my family

· 8 years ago

Yes, but only if that money is made legally. If it is made illegally(for example through scamming) I don't think that that is a good thing.

· 8 years ago

NO WAY! People should all be treated the same and there are way more people out there that have to get their children to work just to help fund the family

· 8 years ago

No because everyone should be treated the same. I also don't like the way that richer people get better education than poorer people.It's just so unfair.

· 8 years ago

I agree with dancemunch

· 8 years ago

I definitely think that one person having so much money is bad. There are people with hardly any money and cannot sustain a good life. They live on the streets waiting for a better future to come to them.I would only agree to it if they gave most of their money away to charities which help these people and people with life-threatening illnesses. This would help the balance of life by treating everyone equally.

· 8 years ago

Definitely not people are being starved and are on the street and people with so much money won’t even help them if I had lots of money I would build a shelter for them people.

· 8 years ago

i think that no one should have that amount of money and be showing it off and he should give at least 70% of it to charity

· 8 years ago

i also think that he should not reitire because even though he has so much money he should have some work excperience because he might find a job that he really enjoys he also should share half or more with charity because some people don't have much money

RockyTabbs · 8 years ago

Yes, what about all the poor people in developing countries? If I had millions, I wouldn't know what to do with it, so I'd give in to charity.

· 8 years ago

I think it is ok for someone to have so much money because the people that have the money must have worked VERY hard to earn it .
As long as the person isn't too selfish, part of the money could be given to charity
???

· 8 years ago

One person should not have so much money because the people who pay them must not waste so much of the Government's money, they should keep it for healthcare, lifesaving services and other important public services

· 8 years ago

It feels wrong for someone to have that much money, so much it could benefit so many dying from the lack of it.

· 8 years ago

I think it is fine as long as the person has worked hard for it

· 8 years ago

I agree

· 8 years ago

I do think it's alright for someone to have that much money for 2 reasons;
1. We can't do anything about it
2. If they care enough about the world, they can put their money towards helping an aspect of it, like giving money to the poor children in Africa, or by helping out by paying towards getting clean water for all the children, or by looking after Syrian refugees. If we all had the same amount of money, then people wouldn't be able to give this kind of help, and as a result, we wouldn't have the pleasure of helping others, so we would begin losing our humanity.

shpee · 8 years ago

I don't know. Most people with that much money donate to charities or research for things like cure to diseases and space technology (like Elon Musk and Bill Gates) but there are so many people even just in this country who are struggling to get by. It's really hard to answer with a 'yes' or 'no' for me.

· 8 years ago

I think that a person should spend their money on good stuff. e.g. charity. I don't like the way some millionaires spend their money on themselves. They should think about Unicef, and other charities.

· 8 years ago

Yes--generally, people who have a lot of money work very hard for it, putting a lot of time and effort into what they do to earn a living.

· 8 years ago

I think yes because they could help loads of funds for charity and enjoy their lives, as long as they’re not stingy or selfish with it.

· 8 years ago

No it isn’t Okay for someone to have so much money ?.It is terrible that some people are starving and some people are rich

· 8 years ago

I think a person can have lots of money and it’s up to them to either donate their money to charity or to keep it for themselves. If a person has tons and tons of money then it obviously means that they have earned it!

ecrabbit · 8 years ago

I think someone should be lucky and feel really happy if they won the jackpot on the lottery, especially if they really wanted to win it. But I also think that if I won the lottery, I’d share at least 70% or more with homeless people or with a charity. It would be great to win and transform into a billionaire overnight, but I think it would only be right if you shared it out with your family and people who are less fortunate.

· 8 years ago

I don’t think people should have so much money,I think they should give it to the poor people and kids who can’t afford to go to school

· 8 years ago

People should not have so much money because so many other people could benefit a lot more from it.

· 8 years ago

No! I think that the money should be shared out to everyone living on the Earth!

· 8 years ago

no way , I would give 90% of it to some charities .
people whith so much money and some people have no money!!!!

· 8 years ago

One person should definitely not have so much money because it is really unjust and unfair to people who hardly have any. Money should be spread out equally over the world, not given to a few people. When people are in glory and richness, others are ill with poorness. We should think about this, and a lot more wealthy people should give money to charity.

· 8 years ago

Yes! If he won it , sure he can ????

· 8 years ago

Some people might say that they earnt their money, but the money would just sit in the bank, not doing anything, where as some people would give anything to have even a small portion of the money.
Second person to comment!!!

VAHC · 8 years ago

If they are giving some of it to charity and generally using it responsibly then yes. If a person will not help anyone with their money and use it to buy stupid things like dozens of fancy cars, then no.

maryam05 · 8 years ago

I agree with dancemunch! So many people are dying of poverty whilst others have so much cash! I would give most of my money to those suffering just in exchange for a smile!

· 8 years ago

If the rich people really did have a heart maybe they should lend some to the starving people in Africa and India who can only dream of getting good food, drink or even a good education.

pony · 8 years ago

I believe it should be a no unless the person has rightfully earned it.

Benjyb1 · 8 years ago

It is unfair to have lots more ?.if I had as much I would give it to charity

· 8 years ago

No, I think having that amount of money is not acceptable. I think anyone with that much money should give lots to charity. People like that spend lots of in on expensive cars and stuff when little children in Africa can't even afford food and water.?

TF11 · 8 years ago

no because its unfair but yes if they earned it

popchip4 · 8 years ago

Depends if they have worked hard to get it!?

· 8 years ago

No way on planet earth is it fair to have more money than others . Especially when others are in serious situations because they don't have the right amount of money. I think everyone should be paid fairly and the excess given to good causes like the NHS. #payusfairly

· 8 years ago

This guy is not suffering from horrible diseases and lack of nutrition and education like some children in other countries are , he has enough money to live a happy and healthy life and so does his family . Even though he has said that the money will go to helping humanity (part of it ) the Florida mega lottery could do much more to help children not only in America as there are still many children or adults who have not done anything wrong to be in a horrible condition . Besides he did not do a thing to earn one part . Our world is shared between all of us and we should all be equal . Missilery still should not retire . Yes he has enough money but that does not mean that he can spend the rest of his life relaxing on a sun kiss beach people work to earn money and help the world , volunteer for charitable based events , well at least that is what I will do if put in that situation. In an overall standpoint I voted for NO for I believe in an equal world.??

· 8 years ago

as long as they give a bit of money to charity then it would be okay. Also the source which the money came from would have to do something like the Florida lottery.

· 8 years ago

Yes, it should be okay for one person to have ‘So much’ money. I cannot believe people don’t even take into consideration before writing about how long it took for someone to earn all this money, sounds like jealously to me!

welovenews · 8 years ago

No because I read that people who win the lottery (when added up together) have as much money as half of the world. I would give most to charity because it's helping out poor people.

· 8 years ago

If somebody had alott of money they may turn selfish ,arrogant and they might start boasting about money

· 8 years ago

People should just act like every other person they may have money but they shouldn’t brag about it.

· 8 years ago

NO! why can't everyone just have a normal life, no rich people no poor people !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

· 8 years ago

no because think of all the people that don't have money

orangebob9 · 8 years ago

It is not fair.Most of their money should be given to charity or friends who really need it.

· 8 years ago

Only if they have worked hard to get that money.

tillyjane · 8 years ago

It is not fair because some people only have something like 10p and it is not fair if some people have £451m

· 8 years ago

Yes because if they have worked hard for it and have earned it, they are entitled to it. In addition as log as they are doing good things with it and helping the less fortunate then they are trying to make the world a better place.

· 8 years ago

I voted no because of the following reasons:
- Most of the money could be given to charity and people who need it.
- It could go to hospitals like the NHS
- Some parents don't eat so their kids can eat and money should be given to them.
- Homeless people could have the money to buy food to survive.
-People who live in different countries are suffering so the money could go to them.
Please reply if you agree with me!

Zaaz xxx

· 8 years ago

No way. If I had that much id give it all to charity. Theres enough to go round so why are people dying in poverty while others don't need to work at all any more?

· 8 years ago

people who are rich SHOULD give more money to charity then others who are still wealthy but aren't as rich as them because they have more money than most of the public and I'm not blaming rich people who give generous amounts of money.

· 8 years ago

It is ghastly!!!!!
It is almost as though we are being ranked depending on how much money we have.
plus, nowadays, so much about love is how rich someone is- if we were all equal then love could be pure

· 8 years ago

Everyone keeps saying that is isn’t okay. But when we’re older we will want most of the money for ourselves, to pay bills or to go on holiday! You would only notice when you win the lottery.
Peace out! ✌️

· 8 years ago

Yes because they have earned it because they have worked hard or they have won it, they can't just turn down that much money.

· 8 years ago

yes because they won it fair and square

· 8 years ago

I kinda feel like the poor are missing out and the rich people have nothing to do with the money apart from wasting it on expensive cars that go really fast but then they can't find any where to make it go that fast so they then just WASTED money!

· 8 years ago

Yes but only if they are earning the money or have been given it by working hard.

· 8 years ago

They should also give some to charity.