High-end fashion mogul to the 99 percent: You’d be rich in China, so don't complain about inequality

The CEO and co-founder of a luxury fashion company says America's become a nation of whiners

Published February 13, 2014 7:40PM (EST)

 Bud Konheim, CEO of Nicole Miller (<a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/13/ceo-who-sells-800-sequined-dresses-tells-99-percenters-stop-whining-youd-be-rich-in-india/">Screen shot, Raw Story</a>)
Bud Konheim, CEO of Nicole Miller (Screen shot, Raw Story)

Implementing a favorite argument of conservative message board and comment thread contributors all over the internet, Bud Konheim, the co-founder and CEO of the luxury clothing company Nicole Miller, said on CNBC on Wednesday that those among the 99 percent who are unhappy with the distribution of wealth in America should stop whining because, by global standards, they are wealthy.

"We've got a country that the poverty level is wealth in 99 percent of the world," Konheim said. "We’re talking about, 'Woe is me, woe is us, woe is this,'" he continued while rolling his eyes.

"Our 99 percent are the 1 percent in the rest of the world!" added one of the CNBC anchors.

"So here we are," Konheim continued, "incredibly wealthy; nobody really has to starve —"

"Because of capitalism!" the same anchor interrupted, again.

"Exactly," Konheim agreed. "And here it is, money is all over the place, and the guy who’s making – 'Oh my god, he’s making $35,000 a year' – why don’t you try that out in India or some countries we can’t even name, or China – any place – the guy is wealthy!"

As wealthy as "the guy who's making" $35,000 happens to be, however, it's quite unlikely that he can afford to buy purchase much from Konheim's company. He could move to China, of course; but the sequin gown, "In the Garden," is still going to cost $2,800.

You can watch Konheim display no awareness whatsoever of the difference between relative and absolute poverty below:

[h/t Raw Story]


By Elias Isquith

Elias Isquith is a former Salon staff writer.

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