Selflessness is the key to Greatness
I could be wrong but Warren Buffett's tremendous generousity is an example of what has made America great. The fact is that he is not the first, but a tradition of generosity from American citizens that has strengthened America, and the world. Carnegie libraries brough books to millions, and changed our world. Bill Gates is trying to cure HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Even those who held onto their wealth, donated to universities, or museums (e.g. the Huntington Libraries and Gardens)
Perhaps more important is that this is part of the general spirit of Americans: giving. People willingly, without being taxed give millions of dollars and even more precious time. I think this is what has allowed us to become the nation we are. If we ever lose that, then we are in serious trouble.
Perhaps more important is that this is part of the general spirit of Americans: giving. People willingly, without being taxed give millions of dollars and even more precious time. I think this is what has allowed us to become the nation we are. If we ever lose that, then we are in serious trouble.
posted by David Benson | 5:19 AM
5 Comments:
Jon,
You comments are always welcome, as are your URL's. I cannot deny that Warren Buffett may be getting a tremendous tax break. But at Buffetts level, no amount of taxes would interfere with his ability to spend money. The point that I was actually getting at, rather than the moral imperatives of Generosity, is actually, that looking out for others is what has been the strength of America, and without philanthropists, we wouldn't be nearly as influential.
My objection to the Gates fund is this. The money comes from a tax which Microsoft puts on computers, by overcharging for software. It is then being spent (or a small part of it is) on Good Causes. The people who are paying the tax have no vote on how it is spent. When the government collects tax, you have a vote on how they spend it. I think the Gates Foundation is anti-democratic.
My objection to the Gates fund is this. The money comes from a tax which Microsoft puts on computers, by overcharging for software. It is then being spent (or a small part of it is) on Good Causes. The people who are paying the tax have no vote on how it is spent. When the government collects tax, you have a vote on how they spend it. I think the Gates Foundation is anti-democratic.
I think the sacrifices that deserve more credit are the hundreds of thousands of Americans who volunteer their time to coach Little League, teach illiterate people how to read, mentor at-risk youth, etc. Writing a check isn't that strenuous. And for someone like Warren Buffet, as jon pointed out, it has its tax benefits.
Research has shown that the rich disproportionately give their money to things that benefit the well-to-do, such as prestigious universities, art museums, ballet companies, opera companies etc. There are a few rich people who seem to really want to help people who need help--maybe Warren Buffet is one of them--but they aren't the majority of rich people.
I couldn't agree more that the general donation of time and effort is more valuable than writing a check. However, I think that you are also unfairly generalizing the wealthy, and making unsupported assumptions. I have no evidence confirming or denying the overall stinginess of the wealthy, but there is a history of Philanthropy in the United States. And, as almost all Americans are 'wealthier' than the mode of people in the world, and Americans unquestionably donate large amounts of money and time, then perhaps we should all give each other a break.
Post a Comment
<< Home