If you build 30,000sf home for two, can you take it with you when you die?

[Blackhatjack]

Nope. Works the same way with $$$automobiles.

Why not use that wealth to make a difference in the lives of others less fortunate than themselves.

I am sure they will go to their graves saying "I sure wish I had built my home larger."

This is not a government imposed choice. It is a logical and moral choice that anyone in this position should be able to make without the enticement of additional tax breaks.

[misternormal]

1. I'm with you on this friend, and welcome to DU... n/t

[kurth]

2. Yuppie pyramids

with very high maintenance and heating/cooling costs.

[Democrats_win]

3. Yes, the energy demand drives up costs for everyone.

So that the super rich can live like kings, the rest of us will pay extra for their privilege. Subsidize the rich!!!

[Blackhatjack]

5. Works the same for water, gas, electricity, etc n/t

[Blackhatjack]

4. Would U Rather be Loved & Adored OR Respected & Hated?

It really is as simple as that.

How much "stuff" is enough?
Is a shower the size of a NY apartment really necessary to be "happy?"

IMHO, Is it not about trying to "buy respect" from others?

[Dora]

6. But WHERE will I put my TELEVISION???

:shrug:

[kegler14]

7. Oddly enough...

"I am sure they will go to their graves saying "I sure wish I had built my home larger."

I did see some folks who had just finished buildng a 13,000 SF home and they were lamenting that they hadn't made the kitchen and entryway larger. No children, just the two of them. Even if I COULD afford a place that size, I'm still trying to figure out why I'd want one. There's two or three couples on my street who look at it the same way. I know these folks have the cash to move to a ritzier place or drive a humongo vehicle, but they don't.

[elehhhhna]

8. Yes. It goes to hell with you, and you have maintenance problems

for infinity.

[Blackhatjack]

9. Here is a possible solution .....

....You can build whatever size house you want, but if it exceeds 4,000 sf you are prohibited by law from hiring any kind of household help(maid, nanny, lawnman, poolman, etc.) and you must do all property maintenance yourself that does not require a license.

That would solve a lot of problems when you think about the richest 1% cutting their own grass, vacuuming, dusting, and doing the windows.

[dorktv]

10. That is not mah house, that is mah tomb.

[brook]

11. If the McMansion

could be mandated as the crematorium for the (expired) McOwners, I could kinda go for that...especially if the land would then be mandated for (real) affordable housing.

[dorktv]

12. Ah am too selfish for that.

:D

[TahitiNut]

13. Veblen - Conspicuous Consumption - "The Theory of The Leisure Class"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspicuous_consumption
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Theory_of_the_Leisure_Class
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2004/12/12/weary_of_the_leisure_class?pg=full

[Freedom_Aflaim]

14. What if you can take it with YOU ?

Wouldn't that really suck if after you die, you enter heaven and God says to you..

"Where's all your stuff? "

:) :) :)

[Blackhatjack]

15. Or what if ....

You dragged your McMansion with you all the way to heaven, and you realize that all the homes for others there are a million times better -- but St. Peter tells you, since you brought your own home with you that you are going to have to live in, and do all the maintenance on it!!

Kinda like a "You made your own home, now live in it" moral to the story.

[RB TexLa]

16. You can't take a computer with you either n/t