Apparently they aren't familiar with Andrew Carnegie. He didn't give a dime to charity but instead put $350 million (7.5 billion with inflation) back into libraries and schools and basically helping people that wanted to help themselves. He was too smart with his money to trust charities with it.
For many of these people this might be the best thing they've ever done for the world (and that's no insult: it's a damned hard thing to top). And there's nothing we can give these guys to thank them and encourage others to join them, that they don't already have, except sincere appreciation.
If we really want a culture where generosity is valued, where the rich WANT to donate money to help those less fortunate than themselves, the only way is to honor people who do this sort of thing. So digg the story up!
Please, this has nothing to do with tax rates for the wealthy, or our national debt, or our budget deficit. This is about charity and philanthropy that might make a tremendous difference in the world, and there's no reason to be so cynical.
34 people is not "most," and this took a major campaign on Gates's part. Get back to me in 250 years. If at that point this has become the norm among the upper class, and stayed that way for more than half of America's history, then we'll talk.
I am not sure everywhere that Bill and Melinda Gates donate, but as an NPR listener, it sometimes feel as if they are singlehandedly keeping the station running, and NPR is definitely educational.
superharris5Aug 4, 2010Buried
Say what you want about how Bill Gates made all his money, he sure is spending it well.
addiggtAug 4, 2010Buried
Dear Bill & Warren,
No.
- Steve
Sent from my iPhone
eastwood24Aug 4, 2010Buried
Line starts behind me bitches.
jfreiscAug 4, 2010Buried
Apparently they aren't familiar with Andrew Carnegie. He didn't give a dime to charity but instead put $350 million (7.5 billion with inflation) back into libraries and schools and basically helping people that wanted to help themselves. He was too smart with his money to trust charities with it.
lennybirdAug 4, 2010Buried
I won't say anything; he's an innovator and entrepreneur--if anything, one of the few who actually earned their fortune.
mcnerdAug 4, 2010Buried
This can't get enough attention.
For many of these people this might be the best thing they've ever done for the world (and that's no insult: it's a damned hard thing to top). And there's nothing we can give these guys to thank them and encourage others to join them, that they don't already have, except sincere appreciation.
If we really want a culture where generosity is valued, where the rich WANT to donate money to help those less fortunate than themselves, the only way is to honor people who do this sort of thing. So digg the story up!
hivoltage815Aug 4, 2010Buried
Many of them, like Gates, set up their own foundations where they can approve where the money goes. Is that not the equivalent?
tntbassAug 4, 2010Buried
You're giving away half you're wealth too? Kudo's sir!
xsubmergedAug 4, 2010Buried
Is the world ending and I don't know it?
elhombrelocoAug 4, 2010Buried
In addition to Buffett and Gates — America's two wealthiest individuals, with a combined net worth of $90 million, according to Forbes —
that's a pretty big typo :p
bimtottAug 4, 2010Buried
Please, this has nothing to do with tax rates for the wealthy, or our national debt, or our budget deficit. This is about charity and philanthropy that might make a tremendous difference in the world, and there's no reason to be so cynical.
archangelzltAug 4, 2010Buried
Agreed. I don't like Microsoft (at all), but Bill Gates made his money more honestly than a few of the biggest names in history.
(Tip: Rockefeller, Carnegie, etc.)
andyswanAug 4, 2010Buried
Let's hope their wealth is used as effectively by the charities as it was by the men and women that produced it!
ontainAug 4, 2010Buried
Buffet and Gates have been doing great things with their money. kudos to both of them.
stanslikewh0aAug 4, 2010Buried
Half my wealth? That's about 13$
gustomuchoAug 4, 2010Buried
"The man who leaves money to charity in his will is only giving away what no longer belongs to him." - Voltaire
mcnerdAug 4, 2010Buried
34 people is not "most," and this took a major campaign on Gates's part. Get back to me in 250 years. If at that point this has become the norm among the upper class, and stayed that way for more than half of America's history, then we'll talk.
bahamut240Aug 4, 2010Buried
I am not sure everywhere that Bill and Melinda Gates donate, but as an NPR listener, it sometimes feel as if they are singlehandedly keeping the station running, and NPR is definitely educational.
whodoneitAug 4, 2010Buried
Yeah, they were on that list until they slashed the amount they were donating to the roll back price of $0.99.
Pricks.
edstateAug 4, 2010Buried
As opposed to the Government stealing most of it when they die.... makes sense in every way.