Why Billionaires Shouldn’t Exist – And Yes, I’m Mad About It

Look, I’m just going to say it: billionaires shouldn’t exist. Yep, I said it. And I’m not just here to say it; I’m here to break it down, make it make sense, vent, and (yes) rant a little. If you feel a bit uneasy about billionaires but can’t quite articulate why or just need someone to put words to that weird ragey feeling, girl, keep reading. Because this post is for you.

Let’s Start with the Basics: Why Billionaires?

Do you know how hard it is to make a billion dollars? And by that, I mean… you literally can’t. Unless you’ve stumbled into some magical formula, being a billionaire requires more than just “hard work.” You can work your tail off, burn the midnight oil for decades, and maybe crack six figures. Billionaires? They’re playing a different game altogether. They aren’t simply hard workers—they’re beneficiaries of a system that somehow allows, even encourages, hoarding obscene amounts of wealth. And while people are getting excited about the “self-made” mythology of billionaires, the reality is that there’s a deep, dark underbelly to how billionaires actually build their empires.

Because let’s be real: nobody makes a billion dollars without, well… taking a billion dollars. Billionaires build wealth off the labor, skills, and time of others. There’s exploitation involved (usually a lot of it), and it’s a system designed to keep them on top. I know, capitalism is a big, scary word, and it’s not a perfect system. But at the heart of it? It’s a system that celebrates billionaires while underpaying and undervaluing the people who actually create that wealth.

A Few Stats to Really Make Your Blood Boil

Let’s throw down some numbers, just in case you’re wondering, “Isn’t a billion just a little more than a million?” Uh, no. A billion is 1,000 million dollars. That’s Jeff Bezos-level, Scrooge McDuck in his money vault kind of money. To put it in perspective:

• If you had $100 million and spent $10,000 every single day, it would take you 27 years to go broke.
• If you had $1 billion and spent $10,000 a day, it would take you nearly 274 years. 

What are you doing with that much money? You could buy yachts, planes, islands, cities, and still have enough to build a space shuttle and launch yourself to the moon just because you felt like it.

But Wait, They Give to Charity, Right?

Here’s where I want to scream into the void. Sure, some billionaires give to charity. They have to—otherwise, people might start realizing the full absurdity of how much money they have. The thing is, even these massive charitable donations are often calculated tax write-offs, making them more like investments than actual altruism. When a billionaire donates to charity, they’re often benefiting from it somehow. And don’t even get me started on the Billionaire Philanthropy Image Machine that makes it seem like these folks are our saviors. It’s smoke and mirrors, ladies.

Take a look at any billionaire philanthropy story. Who’s talking about how much they’re actually keeping? That part? Not so glamorous. They’re giving a fraction of their wealth—literally pocket change in billionaire terms—and getting crowned the saints of capitalism. Meanwhile, they’re lobbying for lower taxes or finding loopholes so they don’t even pay what’s fair.

And While They’re Hoarding Wealth, Real People Are Suffering

Here’s where it gets personal for all of us. I don’t know about you, but I don’t love checking my bank account and doing that little mental math, thinking, “Okay, if I skip buying groceries this week, I can make rent.” Or the feeling when gas prices go up by 20 cents and it completely messes up your budget. And then there are people who have to choose between heating and food, healthcare and housing—the bare essentials.

Meanwhile, billionaires are buying third yachts because, apparently, “two yachts just isn’t enough for a true ocean lover.” It’s laughable. They’re playing this game of Monopoly while we’re over here sweating the electric bill. In what world is that okay?

The most mind-bending part is, if these billionaires contributed just a little more—maybe paid higher taxes, supported fair wages, or even invested in community initiatives—the rest of us wouldn’t be struggling. So yeah, when people say, “Billionaires shouldn’t exist,” it’s not that we’re out here with pitchforks (well, okay, maybe sometimes). We just think it’s basic fairness. Why should a tiny group hoard all that wealth while the rest of us are out here working for, like, a livable life?

So What’s the Solution?

Let me be clear: this isn’t a cry for a utopia where we all make the same. No one’s against success here; I’ll cheer you on when you build a business or chase your dreams. But there’s a difference between making a good living and making all the money that exists. It’s a slippery slope, and we’re well past the “reasonably wealthy” phase.

Here’s what could work:

• Higher Taxes on Extreme Wealth: Tax the mega-rich more. It’s not radical; it’s reasonable. Progressive taxes exist for a reason, and extreme wealth should be no exception.
• Close Tax Loopholes: Billionaires shouldn’t be able to wiggle their way out of paying taxes by exploiting every legal trick in the book.
• Higher Minimum Wages and Stronger Workers’ Rights: Let’s redistribute wealth by paying people what they’re worth and ensuring fair working conditions.
• Encourage Small Businesses: Instead of pumping money into giant corporations, let’s support entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local economies. This gives people more power over their work and wealth.

In the End, It’s About Fairness

I’m not here to tell you billionaires are all bad people. Some are probably quite lovely, and maybe a few really are trying to do the right thing. But the problem isn’t just the person; it’s the structure that allows and rewards this level of inequality. It’s not about taking away success; it’s about recognizing that billionaires shouldn’t exist in a world where people are barely surviving.

So next time someone starts waxing poetic about “self-made billionaires” or how “they worked so hard to get where they are,” just remember: nobody earns a billion dollars. A billion dollars comes from the system working in your favor, often at the expense of the little guy.

And honestly, as a proud little-guy woman, I’m fed up with it. Let’s talk about a world where wealth actually supports well-being, success doesn’t mean exploitation, and billionaires are, well, a thing of the past.

Thankful for your presence, Neja