From the VOMITORIUM
How about this for a great story…a feel good story….a story of philanthropy …….
the Giving Pledge — a movement spearheaded by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates — revealed the names of 40 individuals and families who are taking up the challenge to give away at least half of their net worth during their lifetime or at death. Along with a commitment, the philanthropists all posted a letter explaining why they were taking the plunge. Analyzing their remarks offers a rare glimpse into the minds of the richest of the rich: how they view their fortunes and where they think their money should go after they die.The most common philosophy: That a life of monetary excess can be an empty life if the wealth does nothing to advance a greater cause.
Buffett stresses that The Giving Pledge is free of any issues-driven agenda. The idea is simply to encourage the richest to give up their wealth to any philanthropic pursuits that inspire them. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg — who joined Buffett and the billionaire husband-and-wife team of Tom Steyer and Kat Taylor for a conference call about the effort — says the flow of private donations can support innovation. For instance, where public dollars might be better suited to pay for time-tested teaching methods and materials, private donations could fund innovative ways of teaching or new measurements of success.
I think this is a great story if it is done for the right reasons….if it is done as a tax write off or a way to try and beat the estate tax or some other financial slight of hand….then it is a piece of crap…….and also if the donations stay in this country….we have so many problems that will not be funded because wars are more important than people…….and God forbid that we do anything that would actually be good for the people (sarcasm is a wonderful thing)…….
It’s a nice idea and (I hope) it DOES mean that the tax man will get NONE of it!
The state, ANY state, is a complete and utter waster and when I analyse it, I always find that something like 85% of ALL the taxes I have EVER paid go on things I don’t want and would NEVER support – like bureaucratic crap and… well, actually, most taxes paid throughout the whole world (that don’t just support a single despot asshole) go on just that – bureaucratic crap!
I’ve always thought of government as very much like owning a boat – in the UK at least, boats have been described as holes in the water surrounded by fibreglass and into which you throw 100 pound/dollar bills that you will never see again. Of course, the similarity ends there since people get pleasure from boats and I’ve never heard of actual human beings getting that from government, but you know what I mean, I’m sure…
So, any mechanism that circumvents the state and its tax a/holes and allows well off people to give any part of their wealth DIRECTLY to anything good and particularly to encourage innovative ideas and projects that might actually help humanity to advance out of the crap filled cave it currently lives in, is BLOODY MARVELLOUS to my way of thinking.
Like I say…good for them…but if an ass makes his billions in the US or UK then if he gives to charity then the charity should be used in the country he made his fortune…..but if these “people” are doing it to gain some sort of advantage then they are PRICKS
Why?
I don’t think I agree – that sounds like envy or at the very least partisan.
Does it matter as long as the money goes back to the people? They could simply buy another twenty or thirty mansions abroad with it – the money is theirs and it’s their right. That would help no one who needs helping and do nothing to promote a brighter future for anyone.