Sick of people cheering Bill Gates

[virgilthechicken]

This isn't really about just Bill Gates, but he is a good example of it. I'm sick of people championing the ultra rich as great charitable people. Look, even if Bill Gates gave 95% of his wealth away, he would still have more money than he could ever really spend. Hell, he would have so much money that it would probably be difficult for his children to piss it away. This goes the same for people like Bono, Carnegie, etc. Is it really all that laudable to give away money that you could never realistically spend in the first place? These people aren't really giving up anything. They still lead lives of incredible luxury. Don't get me wrong; their time and money is doing a lot of good. I just feel that the average person who donates their time and money deserves more accolades because those things actually mean something to them.

[magunwarrior]

Right because operating systems take no effort at all to produce :rolleyes:

[rabidbadger]

Dude, I'm with you on this. It is great that Gates gives money away. But remember, he got that money from us. In nefarious ways. It is guilt money he gives. Too little too late if you ask me.

[abjure]

If anything it sounds like you guys are jealous that you couldn't be throwing away that kind of money right now.

[comhcinc]

Dude, I'm with you on this. It is great that Gates gives money away. But remember, he got that money from us. In nefarious ways. It is guilt money he gives. Too little too late if you ask me.

in nefarious ways? how? nobody makes you buy windows.

[wildey]

I just feel that the average person who donates their time and money deserves more accolades because those things actually mean something to them.

I think or would hope that the average person that donates time and money does so to help people not to be rewarded for it. If you are only helping others to be rewarded with fame or anything of that nature then you are doing it for the wrong reasons.
I have spent a lot of my time helping elderly folks around my area and my only reward is knowing that i made them happy and there day easier, and thats plenty, its why i do it.

[crumbles]

Wow, the OP should change the title of his thread to:

"I HAVE CLASS ENVY!"

[lefrenzy]

I completely disagree with you.

Bill Gates might be ridiculously rich, but ever since he became a real philanthropist, I found him amazing.

Before criticizing this man, you need read what he has been up to in the past recent years, not to mention that he has made "this" his new full-time job. Now that Vista is out, he really is making this whole humanitarian trend his new second life. The foundation he has with his wife helps millions of people.

Not to mention, even after his death, he wants his billions of dollars spent quickly for maximum impact on poverty in third-world countries.


Please don't make me call you ignorant. Pick up some recent articles and interviews, read about what he's been up to, then criticize.

That's horseshit. What are you implying? He should not give money all-together?

I used to not be a fan of Bill, but what he's been doing in the past few years, I find it fascinating.

[ryudo]

I am NOT religious but I find the story of the widows mite to represent my feelings on this stuff.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesson_of_the_widow's_mite

[tokenuser]

The adage that it takes money to make money is equally true here.

The Gates Foundation is using a sizable chuck of Gates liquid assets. Thats right LIQUID assets - most of his "wealth" is on paper. Until he sells off his stocks and investments, they can do not good, and have no "physical" value.

I have a lot of respect for the man. He is trading on his fortune (which he earnt himself) and his name to do a lot of good in the world. Sure, I make my donations each year, but the money I dontate can't go anywhere near as far as his can. The fact that people like Warren Buffet gave the Gates Foundation a huge chunk of his change to manage says a lot about the power of a name, and a huge bankroll.