Do you think it’s unfair to call a person a billionaire?

[Anonymous]

Howard Schultz is technically a billionaire by definition but he said he finds it unfair to be repeatedly called a billionaire.

Here is the full context of what he said.

"This moniker of billionaire, let's just get at that, OK? I grew up in federally subsidized housing. My parents never owned a home. I came from nothing. I thought my entire life was based on the achievement of the American dream. Yes, I have billions of dollars—I earned it. No one gave it to me. And I've shared it constantly with the people of Starbucks... It's your moniker, constantly. It's unfair.”

[jshm2]

Depends what you mean. A "billionaire" in English is a million million. Whereas in American English it's a thousand million.

So someone may be a billionaire in the USA, but they are not considered such elsewhere in the world.

As for the wealth side of it, it's usually pointless, as if you take away the debt and liabilities of most of these "billionaires" - they are not really worth that much. Most actually live off government subsidies and contracts.

They are welfare queens, in other words.

[NathanDavis]

I could have become a "billionaire" as well... before hitting 30

but the conditions were, let's say... tricky

very tricky

even when done legally, you do have to crush and step on so many others, too many times

that concept of "a billionaire" is there for a reason

[exitseven]

If he has assets worth a billion dollars he is a billionaire. I would not be ashamed of it. I would flaunt it in my detarctors face. They are only jealous.

[strateguy632]

Accuracy is fair. He does not want to be a part or "tax the millionairs".

[Dargil]

I wish I could be called one with reason.

[Anonymous]

No lol it's a fact

[fishbone77]

I see his point.