Does anybody deserve a billion dollars? New York Times asks the candidates

This tweet from the New York Times is a few days old but it’s been making the rounds Tuesday in advance of the Democratic debate. We hadn’t even noticed, but the Times has apparently rounded up most of the Democratic candidates and asked them 18 questions on camera. Question No. 18 was if anybody deserved to have a billion dollars, and it’s no surprise that got millionaire Bernie Sanders shouting and getting spittle all over the lens.

At least two of the candidates seem to realize this is America.

Economy: We tracked down nearly all the 2020 Democratic candidates earlier this year and asked them the same 18 questions. Question no. 18: “Does anybody deserve to have a billion dollars?” Watch the video and explore more about the candidates.

— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 11, 2019

Beto, Bernie, and Warren are t h e w o r s t .

— AnnaZ (@AnnaZ) October 15, 2019

This is not a serious question . To imagine, or suggest that these puppets would dare bite the well-manicured hands that feed them, AND make their campaigns possible. I would say this laughable, but the dishonesty of it is too cruel to be funny.

— MarcoPelli (@Marcopelli1) October 15, 2019

Motivation is the key to success, that’s what makes the worlds greatest inventions. So yes if they earned it let them have their billions.
Don’t take away encouragement for that brightest mind that will take us to the next planet that could save us all.

— Susan Gabriel (@SusanGa49534470) October 15, 2019

Yang once again has the best answer

— JAY-TEE ? (@PiescoJt) October 15, 2019

Andrew Yang? He’s got no problem with it.https://twitter.com/AnthonyBialy/status/1184215784874237954

This is a terrible, pointless question. https://t.co/fW8CqRsEtF

— Casey Mattox (@CaseyMattox_) October 15, 2019

Nobody has a billion dollars. The people with net worth of $1B or more don't have piles of Scrooge McDuck cash siloed for convenient bathing and diving. The wealth is in the value of operating companies, most benefiting the public in tremendous ways. https://t.co/WvJQFaiQao

— Rev Snow (@RevSnow67) October 15, 2019

What a question.

Rich people don't make people poor any more than healthy people make people sick.#DemocraticDebate https://t.co/8XkFbLURIl

— Joseph Backholm (@josephbackholm) October 15, 2019

The real question is why does the government deserve to lay claim to anyone's money that's not ill-gotten. They haven't worked hard for it either. https://t.co/eJCDI33nzd

— Alex Hoffman (@AlexHof32583191) October 15, 2019

• Where is the crime in making a billion dollars?

• What is the due process for someone who has made a billion dollars?

• Do you actually think someone who has made a billion dollars will just allow you to seize their money? https://t.co/DHJdhRFIeU

— Sam Valley (@SamValley) October 15, 2019

??? coming from these ppl that have millions and millions of dollars from a salary of probably 200k a year. https://t.co/7NQzetCaml

— Rick (@rickmccabe22) October 15, 2019

It's none of their business how much money ANYONE has. https://t.co/cQC7XkO3WC

— Ge?rge Wept (@GeorgeWept) October 15, 2019

Jealousy is a bitch. https://t.co/GUrODxFG8X

— JayLuch (@LuchJay) October 15, 2019

“Deserve” https://t.co/NP5COU7c4U

— David aka “CornPop” (@davidepearson) October 15, 2019

Deserve? The NYT and Democrats want to decide what you deserve. Vote accordingly. https://t.co/2o5aZFNsDf

— Tari (@uncommentari) October 15, 2019

The key word here is “deserve”. They created the entitlement programs and now they can tell you what you do and do not “deserve” Your hard work and innovation doesn’t matter, what matters is what they tell you you can and cannot have. This is the left. https://t.co/e5fdO2BwxF

— Ross Brotherton (@RossBrotherton) October 15, 2019

Do you deserve the money you get for the subscriptions or sponsorships? What a dumb question… https://t.co/zkxVt2a7bw

— Sam Pille (@SamPille1) October 15, 2019

These people are so stupid https://t.co/6BiMh3I5eB

— Robert (@Robert70538768) October 15, 2019

Stupidest question ever. https://t.co/r6S0iSOwta

— Elite Flacco (@VonKiller58) October 15, 2019

The correct answer to this question is "None of your goddamned business." https://t.co/2t478wuDeQ

— Timothy Sandefur (@TimothySandefur) October 15, 2019

If you earn a billion dollars then you deserve it. What a dumb question https://t.co/ihvPjZWSpy

— Bono ?? (@Bono_Bono62) October 15, 2019

How about we ask, “What’s the dollar amount everyone DOES deserve?” I’d like to know what this magical number is. And who gets to decide what that number is? https://t.co/qH4RBqkpJH

— Colorado Girl in Ohio (@taraRwood) October 15, 2019

Nothing like millionaires complaining about billionaires *cough cough* @BernieSanders https://t.co/OsbFYSvqDb

— Rob (@robbie_hermes) October 15, 2019

Should have asked them “Should any politician become a millionaire or get even richer after taking office” https://t.co/z7pUEY27yS

— Wade (@RealTallWolf) October 15, 2019

Video says it all about DNC hopes with independents, candidate answers to Does Anyone Deserve $1B? Media-created Beto takes the cake for peak stupid, over Warren & Bernie’s stand in – goooo Robert! ?? https://t.co/RBEWNmwxWc pic.twitter.com/tVVubhXWZP

— Jeff Hallett (@jeff_hallett) October 15, 2019

Bernie wants you to be heavily taxed and is not afraid to shout it from the rooftops https://t.co/D3gP7fdJVq

— Brock Williams (@dbrockwilliams) October 15, 2019

The irony of this coming from The New York Times is their principal owner is worth $59.5 billion. https://t.co/L9KZTqByo8

— Jacques de Molay, 15th Duke of Ozarka (@RantinArkansan) October 15, 2019

Related:

Saving the earth from climate change will require ‘confiscating unearned wealth from billionaires’ https://t.co/vyR6XJqdLB

— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) February 25, 2019