Letters to the Editor

Dear Spartan Daily Editor:

I am writing in response to an article titled, “Billionaires must share the wealth” by Ruth Noemi Aguilar published on Oct. 8, 2020. In this article, Aguilar advocates that it is unethical for billionaires to be allowed to accumulate massive wealth while many others are left to experience financial hardships. In addition to expressing this, Aguilar continues with the suggestion that billionaires should strive to give away their wealth, as described in the Giving Pledge, which encourages billionaires to donate half of their wealth during their lifetime. Lastly, Aguilar tackles the issue of tax cuts, in which billionaires invest in and donate towards political campaigns that will ultimately permit them to continue to receive needless tax deductions. 

Though I agree that it is unfair for a small percentage of the population to have so much wealth, while others are forced to live in poverty, a point that also needs emphasizing is why (and how) people are allowed to become billionaires. Thus, rooting back to our capitalistic society as well as those in power who enable billionaires. Therefore, this issue involves more than just billionaires themselves. It is also the capitalistic society we live in that allows a small percentage of people to become–and stay–billionaires. For instance, in regards to needless tax cuts, there are external parties (for example, politicians and major corporations) that contribute to making this possible. 

An area of change I suggest would be to recognize and hold accountable for all factors involved in this issue, which includes the billionaires, the politicians, and the system itself. It is equally necessary that we hold those accountable who enable billionaires to sustain their massive wealth and allow the cycle to continue, as well as the billionaires who benefit from this capitalistic system.

Sincerely,

Denesia Webb

Communication Studies Junior