as long as the TAXES are correct he can build whatever "palatial digs" he wants

Whatever you do folks, please make sure you DO NOT RAISE THIS GUYS TAXES!!

Not even 4%, that's considered class warfare and it's questionable how he and his trophy wife could go on in such a downsized abode like the current 26,000 house they reside in.

We should focus on cutting social security checks to seniors, cutting school lunch programs, furloughing air traffic control, laying off teachers/police/firefighters, and cutting funds to cancer research (via HHS and NIH) to make up the budget shortfall instead...

Personally, I don't know either one of them, but it looks as if the wife has had 90,000 sq. ft. of "construction" done to her face and judging by their current home and opulent furniture it is apparent they live the McMansion lifestyle - over-sized and ugly!

By the way, at 90,000 sq ft and three plus years to build, I'd venture that he's giving jobs to a lot of people in the construction industry - but of course, the liberals neglect to think about that little fact.

what creates more jobs? One couple building a single 90,000 square foot behemoth, or a construction firm building 150 homes in a new housing community for middle class folks to purchase? And which is better for the overall health of the economy?

I used to want a big house. Not this big, or even close to this big, but maybe a 3-4 bedroom, family room, dining room kind of thing. Then I got diagnosed with rhuematoid arthritis and am happier than a bug in a rug in my two bedroom, one bathroom, no basement house. If I move, it will be something similar or smaller. I can't even imagine having a home like this. Even if I had the money to pay people to do all the work, I still wouldn't want a home like this. But I'm not knocking them. If they got the money (legally) and want to build two of these houses....go for it!

Please don't let us have another reality tv show...we've got enough of the special K's...

And by the way, she doesn't need more make-up...she needs a s**tload of humanity and a lot let coldness (maybe throw in a little brains as well while we're at it)...

DrowingG,

It seems Chip didn't take any math classes in school. He just can't add it up.

I doubt any jobs will be "created". Maybe retained....

I agree.

AyeNik said:

I doubt any jobs will be "created". Maybe retained....

What do you base this baseless assumption on? More flawed liberal "logic".... with nothing to back up your claim.

FeistyRedhead: Right on!

Feisty from Roswell,

Totally dig your name and avatar. Very funny stuff. Maybe I should change mine to "Bev from Beantown" or "SeekingInsanity".

Yeah, no reply from AyeNik or DrowingG or Julie - no surprise there.

This is the same clown who sent a memo to all his employees saying if Obama was re-elected he would be so financially strapped he was going to lay all of them off and close his business. Nice bluff tard!

DrowningGrover

Beware the green eyed monster....

Just because you suck at revenue generation doesn't mean you gotta hate. Look at your own skills, and put them to good use. Chip already showed math and problem solving aren't your strong suits, but you sure are good at complaining. Perhaps your shrill whining could be put to good use in a field where it is appreciated. Customer support perhaps? Or maybe congress? You would fit right in. A bunch of know-it-all know-nothings who who can't see past their own assumptions and baseless opinions.

feisty redhead from roswell

You mean, people who avoid paying their fair share of taxes, buy republicans by giving them millions in lobbyist and funding, and refuse to pay a reasonable wage for american workers can afford to BUILD huge palaces of excess

P.S. How sad that you couldn't come up with more original username...

ItsAboutTime-3704531

P.S. How sad that you couldn't come up with more original username...

It's called satire. Get a dictionary, look it up. Or just try Google. I know books and learning can be scary for your sort.

Personally, I don't know either one of them, but it looks as if the wife has had 90,000 sq. ft. of "construction" done to her face

And they bolted on an addition just south of her face. And that addition is just as gaudy as their house.

Hey man, whatever makes you happy. I'd be happy cutting down my overhead to where I don't have to worry how I'm gonna cover my bills. Oh well ... working on it.

Great post Chip. Math is obviously something that most libs struggle mightlily with.

Imagine if they had, instead, distributed their tremendous profits among their employees in the form of health insurance, pensions, benefits, and the like.

Instead this is what we get.

If it's their money why do they NEED to give $hit to anyone?

If you want money just earn it and don't sit at home and cry

into your oblamophone......

Chip,

I'll reply for DrowningG. First of all, when equating the number of equivalent homes that could be built, you don't go by square footage, you go by cost. And "100 per sq ft", in the most exclusive area of Windermere Fl? What planet are you living on? Simple calculations show this house would list for something like 86 million, not your ridiculous "9 million". That kind of scratch could build well over 500 "std" sized homes in different parts of Fl.

In terms of comparing the kind of jobs the two projects would generate, one needs to look at the kinds of things the 86 million would get spent on. This could be a relatively complex analysis but some obvious differences stand out. A big one is the kind things going into the big house vs the 500. Things like lavish indoor pools, tennis courts, and most certainly ridiculously expensive materials in the various rooms. Just for example, it will take WAY more people to build 1000+ std bathrooms than 20 gold plated bath rooms, WAY more people to build 150 std roofs vs 1 huge roof, etc, etc.

If we assume the same price per square foot for building

Faulty assumption. The cost of "finish out" will be much greater for this type of house than for a typical mass produced tract home. As long as we're "assuming", I'm assuming this house will have the requisite Italian marble and crystal chandeliers etc etc. What's the "cost per square foot" of a bowling alley and three swimming pools?

I don't know if "150 houses" is correct, but you're full of it too.

Could the wife be any more shallow?

Hey Sam "full of it", your addled mind is throwing in irrelevant complications. The 500+ number is based on simple math apparently beyond your level but I'll try to explain it here. The 86 million price estimate is based on the previous listing of this actual house and thus is a reasonable estimate - more than just an "assumption". If a std home in a less expensive area is given a generous estimate to build of 150K, then 86 million buys (builds) over 500 of such homes. That is simple math. If you have a different estimate of what 86 million would build, show me your "math".

Chip, are you also assuming that all of the 9 million <cough cough> goes to labor? Someone is donating the material?

JSteve7 and Sam:

Fine, I'll go along with your presumption that the cost per square foot is more for this house than for a "standard" house (though if it equates to $86M is hard to say since you didn't substantiate your number with your "simple calculations"). But so what? In reality, Steve, you've made my point for me (the point you have obviously missed) - he's pumping $86M into the private sector economy. $86M (or whatever the huge number is) provides a LOT of jobs to skilled workers. In fact, since he's putting in the "requisite Italian marble" and "crystal chandeliers" he is probably hiring some pretty high-skilled workers who are getting paid some pretty good money per hour to do the work, so they're not even all low-paying jobs. What do you want the guy to do - give the $86M to a 150 people he doesn't even know so they can build their homes? It's HIS money - he built the business - he made the money - it's his to do with as he pleases - and again, by spending it on a ridiculously huge house, he's providing jobs. Someone has to install those chandeliers, someone has to make those gold-plated faucets, someone has to fabricate and cut the marble for his countertops. My guess is that you and your liberal friends would rather have the government take that money, and use it where the politicians think it's best used. And we all know that government is SO judicious about how they spend our money. Look, I agree, the house is a textbook example of "conspicuous consumption" and it's hardly something I would build if I had that kind of cheese - but frankly, I don't care uses the dough to build a replica of the pyramids - it's HIS money and he's providing jobs through the private sector (and don't forget the enormous property taxes he will be paying to the county).

Frankly, from what I'm seeing in most of the posts to this article, is that the liberals have done a very successful job of selling "class warfare" to the country. And of course, it's only the Republicans/Conservatives that get bashed for it. Never mind that George Soros has a $9.8M house in New York (you should see the pictures - Google it up) or that Al Gore has his new $9M in Montecito, California (among others) or Oprah Winfrey's $85M 43-acre manse (God, you should see the pics of that one - looks pretty big too and the $85M is curiously close to the figure you just calculated). Yeah, those guys don't get a write-up in MSNBC, do they? They get a pass, no doubt because they are of the "liberal elite" class. And don't get me wrong, I'm not condemning any of them for having the homes that they have - but I find it reprehensible that you liberals don't take them to task the way you take this guy to task. Hypocrisy, through and through.

Not that we can blame them (Jay-Z & Beyonce). The home has a bowling alley, 10-seat movie theater, virtual golf course, skateboard half-pipe and rock climbing wall, for crying out loud. Plus, there's a spa facility with an indoor Jaccuzzi and massage area.... Oh yeah, and a 60-by-20-foot heated gunite pool with underwater speakers. Who else could afford this place but Jay-Z and Queen B? (It's on the market for $43.5 million, but apparently they're renting the home for $400,000 a month).

So I assume all of you complaining about Mr. Siegel feel that Obama's pals Jay-Z and Beyonce should should not own this home let alone others they own and instead distribute their wealth as you are suggesting Mr. Siegel and his wife should. You know, build homes for other people. All though I think Jay-z and Beyonce have no social redeeming value they have earned their wealth and can do with it as they please as far as I am concerned. How about Obama's golfing pal Tiger Woods, do you feel the same about his wealth as you do Mr. Siegel's? My guess is you don't, some how in your liberal minds things are different for them. If I am wrong I will offer my apology now but I doubt seriously that is the case. I could go on and on with several different examples like this but I think you get the point.

cametomysenses wrote:

Chip, are you also assuming that all of the 9 million <cough cough> goes to labor? Someone is donating the material?

Dude, come to your senses. Of course I'm not assuming that - I'm not as stupid as you are assuming. I've built three houses for my family and am quite familiar with the concept of "materials cost". So what though? Someone has to fabricate all those faucets and marble countertops and swimming pool ladders, ad infinitum - and those people (and the companies they work for) are paid by Mr. Siegel as well. Doh! See my previous post.

...if we assume $100 a square foot, then these evil rich people are spending $9,000,000.

Sorry, Chip, but you are no real estate genius yourself. This couple has had the house on the market for $100 million since his company bit the dust in 2008, and that was in its unfinished state. That's a tad more than $100 per square foot. If you divide $100 million by 150 homes, then each of those homes would cost around $670K. It used to be possible to see photos of the interior on the realtor websites like Zillow, but those have probably been removed since they are back to work on it.

Like other posters have stated, this couple can do whatever it wants with the money that it has generated. However, it's truly pathetic that they are so insecure that they have to build a monstrosity like this to impress others. It's even more pathetic that she wants a reality show. Actually, it is also pathetic that you fail to grasp DrowningGrover's point, which is that perhaps the money spent on this one home would be more useful to the economy if it were divided among building 150 homes, and that you feel the need to speculate that he didn't take math classes. You made a fool of yourself by disputing his assumptions because you don't know anymore than he does.

ABCzyx:

Dude, I never claimed to be a "real estate genius." For that matter, I conceded the point of how much per square foot this monstrosity probably costs. But read my follow-up posts - it's irrelevant. The points I was making that (a) it's their money and this is a free country (thank GOD) and they can do whatever they want with their riches, including building this ridiculous house, (b) $100M employs a heckuva lot of people. It's $100M injected into the private sector economy. That's a GOOD thing ABC. Who cares how many "regular" homes that money would build? Yeah, it would be great if they got all philanthropic all of a sudden and used the money to fund Habitat for Humanity, but that's THEIR choice. And finally (c) it's pathetic how the legacy media, such as NBC uses their subtle tactics to editorialize this couple's "greed" building such a house while "gushing" about how beautiful Oprah Winfrey's $85M estate is. Totally two-faced. Likewise, it's truly scary how many people there are out there (most of them liberals I dare say) who think they should be able to tell others how to spend THEIR money.

To Chip and a few others,

I see all this ranting and raving about "IT'S THEIR MONEY" but I don't see anyone disputing this. I also see references to other so called rich "liberals" that are also spending a lot on homes which also I and others are not claiming is much different. Although, at some point, I mean 90,000 freaking sq ft??? The simple point I, Drowner and ABC are trying to make is that money spent building the Versailles house, if spent in other ways, would create more jobs. That is it, nothing more, nothing less. If one wants to debate that, fine. But to bring in this pathetic, and frankly BS, "class warfare" crap, only switches the subject away from the question of job creation. Why must ANY discussion with the "I've got mine now F-off crowd, involving public policy, always devolve into anti-government rants? I'll just say we disagree on the claim that 86 million spent ANY way creates the same economic effect and leave it at that.

Quickly, with respect to taxes, two points. One, federal taxes overall are at the lowest levels seen in over 50 years. Two, even as the rates have PLUMMETED over this period, we have seen minor fluctuations UP and down. So when a freaking, piddly 4% hike is even suggested on the very upper incomes, this new breed of knuckle dragging ignorants of history scream "class warfare".

Oprah's house is mentioned. Nothing is different about that. All my same job creating arguments apply and I'm sure even she would agree. Related to that, here is the point that the "class warfare" crowd can never grasp. I always hear the following advice: "You want higher taxes, well then YOU go right ahead and send bigger checks to the government on your own". The reason I don't is that it does NOT solve the problems that need solving. Little things like our entire infrastructure crumbling to crap. Little things like the US becoming a third world banana republic with how educated our populace is. Little things like preventing over 40,000 deaths a year due to lack of proper medical care. And I'll end with my favorite from "conservatives", enforcing the CURRENT laws on the books! Paying taxes AT WILL DOES NOT SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS. We have solved or prevented, to a large degree, all these problems prior to, say, 40 years ago. But for some reason, today, ANY attempt to get serious about this devolves into a bunch of idiotic rants about "class warfare".

In summary, taken by itself, I'll admit that spending 100 million on a house doesn't necessarily mean that person is a greedy individual. What I find "greedy" is such individuals doing that and THEN bitching about their historically LOW tax rates. THAT is difference between greedy individuals such as this Versailles house couple and people like George Soros and Oprah Winfrey.

If the average house in the US is $180,000 then $100,000,000 divided by that is about 555 homes. That is probably a little under 1,000,000 square feet and is the size of a typical master planned community. As an economic resource added to America 555 homes, that can house 1600 to 1700 people, is more of an added value than a 90,000 sq ft home, housing 6 to 8 people. But this is a free country and not all spending will equally benefit the economy. Someone buying beer and cigarettes, for example, will most likely cost the economy more that benefit it; versus someone buying their children a math book with the same amount of money. That is just part of life in a free society. Stop drooling over those living opulent lifestyles and that lifestyle will loose its appeal. Real change comes from a change in cultural values.

Yeah, Jackie's implants are almost as big as the house. Those two babies probably account for at least 10,000 sq ft just to have big enough doors and hallways to turn around in.

Souless, lacking in spirit. Just want it all for themselves, the heck with you. Contrast Warren Buffet who could buy a dozen of Stiegels mansions and Old Warren is a gentleman.

Mr. Warren Buffet is not all about "hey, look at me and my lavish lifestyle" His home, his lifestyle is far below what anyone could guess. He is smart and and un-assuming.

These people need to just GET OVER YOURSELVES! Let's see, build a 90,000 sq foot house, have a homework room, why not a gift wrapping room, like Mrs. Spelling. The arrogance of perceived wowness, shameful.

Of course, she married a man 30 yrs older because he wanted something more to do with his life? Really, a 77 yr old man child. She is not much better in the fusion between "I married for money and have a plastic surgeon on call", type of gal.

I wish them happiness, because right now, they are the entry way of going down the hall of clowndom. The circus left town, and these two are still trying to overcome the effects of their own egos.

I am sure he had nothing to do with his $7.00 per hr workers vote....gag! that he thought he had that kind of influence. AND that my friends, is how America peddles democracy....one $ at a time.

You must have misread it, he wasn't threatening them, he was merely informing his employees that he would be forced to fire them if they didn't vote for Romney. I don't see how that could possibly be interpreted as a threat.

Well said, SKW.

So, these rich parasites had to go to foreclosure in 2008 but are now back on track and ready to complete their vulgar house and maybe air their vulgar lives on reality TV.

I'm sure they have lawyers and paid PR staff to explain how they give gobs of money to charity, and are doing this just to give back to the world. Oh. Wait! Maybe JUST THE OPPOSITE is the theme of their upcoming reality show ...

... two rich losers, period.

It is their money to spend as they wish.

I prefer my cozy one story home now, having downsized from an unmanageable 3 story colonial.

If I had that kind of money, I would still prefer a small home, travel everywhere I can, and spend the rest helping as many people as I can.

I would try to spend it all before I die.

Hey Feisty, don't forget George Soros' $9.8M house in New York - guess he gets a pass cuz he's a liberal, no? Here's the link:

It's not about how anyone spends their earned money. The story is more a sad and pathetic statement on how empty their souls must be to fill it with such useless and superficial extravagance. Sure, they're free to do it, no one is contesting that. It just a sad display on so many levels.

This a-hole is scum. When his letter to his employees became public, I wrote him a letter telling him that he's scum, though of course he never saw it, as I'm sure he doesn't open his own mail or email.

I once had a mortgage on a condo at his timeshare resort in Kissimmee. I converted it to be paid off in a year with no interest. They made a mistake on the contract and it was signed with the mistake. The mistake was in the year in which it would be paid - it was off by one year which essentially gave me a one year break in mortgage payments. They threatened to sue me over breach of contract if I didn't pay right away, claiming that it was just a small error on their part. They were going to sue me over about $6K based on their error! Can you imagine what would have happened if the error had been in THEIR favor? Surely they would have sued to force me to abide by the incorrect terms we both signed in that case!

This bozo can build this kind of a house, but his company wants to sue me to get $6k one year sooner. This guy has some cojones!

SKW-1446830 Mr.Siegel's threats were not much different than Obama's threats claiming there will be thousands of layoffs and the sky will fall if the Sequester isn't halted which I believe is a huge farce. If the Sequester moves forward all that happens is we maintain roughly the same spending levels as we had last year 2012. A lot of drama on both sides of the fence to scare the American people.

Exactly !

rhetoric - the refuge of the reichwingnutreligionazi

So what happened to firing a sizable percentage of his work force?

But you see, if he had to raise his employees salary by even 2%, or god forbid, provide them with HEALTHCARE (/gasp) his home could have only been 70,000 sq. feet and he just can't live without that gift wrapping room and 4 story ballroom.

Priorities people! DON'T RAISE THIS MAN'S TAXES, THAT'D BE CLASS WARFARE!!

Teabaggers are always looking for the easy way out and others to pay for their mishaps...this guy seems to fit the bill...

Everyone likes to point out the faults of others. What they really wished was that they were in the same place of those they criticize. Personally everyone's taxes should be equal no matter how poor or rich you are. Quit being jealous of others. You are pathetic and petty.

DrowningGrover

So what happened to firing a sizable percentage of his work force?

But you see, if he had to raise his employees salary by even 2%, or god forbid, provide them with HEALTHCARE (/gasp) his home could have only been 70,000 sq. feet and he just can't live without that gift wrapping room and 4 story ballroom.

Priorities people! DON'T RAISE THIS MAN'S TAXES, THAT'D BE CLASS WARFARE!!

I know of a young woman on government assistance who has housing, food and transportation all paid for on the taxpayer dime. She goes out and begs for money so she can go out to movies and eat out. Just because she abuses the system, should we just get rid of all those assistance programs? Just because this guy is a pig, is no reason to punish everyone who is good at making money.

BTW, Bill Gates, Huntsmans, Romney. Just those three families alone have put more money into cancer research and the betterment of the third world than our government has.

that's because these people are the perfect stereotype of everything that is wrong in America.

If I had his wealth, it would be in the bank, or in some good mutual funds, or other investments. It would not be in a damn house. Really.....does Greed and a few of the other 7 Deadly sins get a better role model than this couple?

Some people never get it. It is not what you have....but who you are in effecting the lives of others. Ok, I suppose his architect, contractors and subs are all liking it.

c - but you are obviously not a reichwingnuttcase with more money than brains

BUT your not rich so have some cheese with your pathetic whine

and let him spend HIS money however he wants,LOL

You'll still get that welfare check...

a firm believer in "conspicuous consumption" - "well then, let them eat cake" - she was, too {chop}

HMMmm, Me thinks I hear jealousy,LOL

SUIII -- more importantly, money can't buy taste! The only taste these people have is in their mouth. They probably write LOL too.

You need to find a drone now. The guillotine is so over.

The closets are what's bigger than some NY apartments.

so - by your reasoning you bash Obama and wish for a Republican to fail?

oh, you must be a tea-bagger

Money doesn't buy class. She's just a snobby person who lacks character and humility. I do think she should lay off the facelifts, she's starting to look like the cat woman.

Feisty, you are my new hero! Love your comments.

Several of the people on that list created or support scholarships that help people from under served areas actually get an education and break the cycle of povery, and those people do indeed "rock." There are many many "average" people who also take time and money and work on improving their communities and the lives of the people who live there. Meanwhile, the people in this story are busy bragging about Versailles - a home they don't even want to live in. If you think they "rock," then you're as vapid and shallow as they are. Seriously.

Not only is Feisty vapid and shallow, but also a flat-out liar. Most rich people do NOT get that way because they can do extraordinary things. Most rich people get that way because they are born into rich families. Feisty actually sounds like Jackie Siegel. coicidence?

Fiesty,

What extraordinary things have Carrie Underwood, Tiger Woods, Lebron James, Mike(?), Kobe, Eddie Van Halen, and Leno done? Bill Gates took his enormous wealth and started the largest health care philanthropy which is making a positive impact on the health of citizens primarily in 3rd world countries. Henry Ford revolutionized manufacturing. Steve Jobs, along with Gates, helped create the personal computer market and provide technology none of us can now live without. The others just happened to be born with lucky genes.

And hate to contradict you, but most of the wealthy inherited it. Bill Gates father was not exactly poor.

LA kid, You sure don't know much do you? Even if the children inherited all that wealth, they still have to be pretty good at maintaining it. For example a good chunk of self made millionares from sports to the movies end up going bankrupt. Millionaires have to have something that makes them unique. Even if it is one idea. The founder of Wal-mart had a distribution idea. Look where he is. His idea was unique. Now there is a Waltmart relatively close to a majority of towns in the US. There is a reason why Carnegie cautioned about leaving wealth to relatives. They tend to squander it, then they aren't so wealthy anymore. No most of the wealthy did not inherit their wealth, and even if they did they know how to maintain and increase wealth.