Jeff Bezos sold over $10 billion in Amazon stock last year, they absolutely are making that much money. This whole 'net worth isn't liquid' meme is incredibly damaging and overstated.
Yes, in that instance, he made money, but also paid taxes on that. He probably wouldn't have sold if he didn't think it would be wise to diversify a little after such a huge price jump. Or maybe he just wanted to buy something ridiculous, who knows.
In general, the super-rich don't need to sell, which is why they don't need to pay taxes. If you want to change that, you need a wealth tax, with all its problems. That's my point.
He did pay taxes, but probably at a lower rate than an average doctor. The preferential treatment of capital gains over wages is a huge giveaway to Bezos.
In general, the super-rich don't need to sell, which is why they don't need to pay taxes. If you want to change that, you need a wealth tax, with all its problems. That's my point.