AbigailDisney(Abigail Disney) There are many criticisms of US billionaires, especially when they inherit a large sum of cash and don't have to pay income taxes.
In an interview on Tuesday, Abigail discussed the “long-standing, generational spirit” that exists in America's wealthy families, that is, using the tax system to protect their assets.
She said, “The truth is, these people sit on the couch and earn money and don't pay taxes, while ordinary people go out to work every day and work hard only to be able to balance income and expenses. It seems like an inverted structure.”
Abigail's remarks are in response to recent reports about how some of America's richest people are avoiding taxes. Although the tax avoidance practices mentioned in the report are not illegal, Disney pointed out that the actions of billionaires to protect their assets are a moral issue rather than a matter of legality.
She said, “For many people, especially those who are deeply rooted in the culture of making money and making money, morality is an insignificant, ineffective hate. It is an abstract set of principles that cannot withstand the harsh tests of life.”
Comparing wealth to addiction, she explained, “When you have wealth, you have to have more.”
She also said, “Now there are people on private jets who would rather be shot than fly first class on a regular airline because that meant they had to get through the airport. This is extremely dangerous to society.”
Abigail Disney is the granddaughter of Roy Disney, the co-founder of the Disney Company. She has no position in the company and only holds a small number of shares. She revealed two years ago that she is worth 120 million US dollars.
However, this rich woman has always been known for criticizing America's serious polarization between the rich and the poor. She is a member of the “Patriotic Millionaires” organization, which consists of wealthy people who want the government to raise taxes on them.
She has also criticized Bob Eagle, the former CEO of Disney, for being overpaid, while some Disney theme park workers are struggling with the poverty line. After the outbreak of the epidemic last year, she denounced Disney's practice of forcing low-wage employees to take unpaid vacations. Last fall, she also supported US Senator Elizabeth Warren, who criticized Disney for putting the interests of shareholders and CEOs above employee benefits.