Big Money and the Power of Communication

Just because you have an obscene amount of money does not necessarily make you an expert beyond your field.  Celebrities are often chastised for using their popularity to promote their views on public issues.  They may not have an obscene amount of money but their opinion may be overvalued because of their fame.

The Uber rich can buy experts and their opinions to back up their own ideas.  Using other people, and social media to attract other people has become a way for rich folks to become "influencers" beyond what elected officials are.  It's the bully pulpit without standing for election.  And the wealth they have gathered can also insulate them from down turns in their popularity should they make a serious faux pas.  

The Uber rich can literally buy something that may rightly be considered a public good or resource.  The Miami Heat Basketball Team was able to score waterfront property and move "uptown" from "Overtown" and get subsidies for their venue.  And while the major owner of Carnival Cruise Line and the Miami Heat is by most accounts a good citizen in South Florida, I wonder why folks who don't take cruises or attend basketball games are dragged along in subsidizing them.  As if a billionaire really knows what's best for everyone.  

Sure they have invested a lot in their "stuff", but sometimes their stuff is inherited, and may not reflect anything more that deserves subsidies.