Novice guru, I agree with you that money is better spent elsewhere. However, it will be against the capitalism and free market to force or even try to persuade someone to spend his/her hard earned money in particular way. He has every rights to spend his money as he wishes as per his best discretion -- be it lavish parites -- or otherwise. You and I don't have any rights to justify his spending or any other pompous celebration that doesn't include yours and mine stake.