Private property

Manalapan, N.J.: People are asking why Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, et al spent so much money on space rockets that could have fed many people, provided housing, etc. It’s their money to spend as they like. They don’t tell you to stop buying scratch-off tickets and $500 sneakers. I didn’t hear any complaints about Derek Jeter having a $20 million-plus house in Florida, or some celebrities spending a million bucks on birthday parties for themselves. Look how many people have jobs working on the space flights, from rocket scientists to truck drivers, from construction workers building housing for all of them to the guy who sweeps the workshops (imagine if someone told Henry Ford to stop tinkering with his horseless carriage and give that money to the poor). When you become really rich, I’d like to see you give it all away. I’ll wait.

Joe Fontanelli