Thoughts on the Gates/Buffet alliance? Lots of good to come or rich men forcing their beliefs on others?

Question

According this this article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060629/ap_on_re_us/billionaires_abortion) by the AP, some people believe that with the funds of Warren Buffet, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be an evil plague on the countries it seeks to help. What are your thoughts? Do you agree? If so, why? If not, what good would you like to see the foundation focus on?

Seems like the link isn't working, so try this one: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BILLIONAIRES_ABORTION?SITE=NYTRO&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Answer 1

Hurrah for the likes of Buffet and the Gates' - good to see some people actuallyputting their money where their mouths are.........much less than can be said for many others!

The Gates' are fine examples of people who do care and are fortunate enough to be blessed with the money to make a differenc to global health and poverty. they are to be comended.

As for the comments made by the bleeding heart ignorant in the link....well, some people aren't happy unless they are bitching and moaning. What are they doing to help the cause?

Answer 2

Have you looked at their website?

The foundation focuses on four areas: Global health, education, libraries, and the Pacific Northwest.

With regard to education and libraries, these are efforts designed to increase education and graduation levels in the US.

The global health issues are to attempt to control the most serious disease epidemics in other countries. I fail to see this as an evil plague. (What is an evil plague is when we send food and warlords stockpile it in order to feed their soldiers, taking it away from the starving people in the country).

If I had the money that Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have, I might choose other areas, but I would probably also be setting up a foundation to make the world (in my own view) a better place.

Answer 3

there is no forcing of anything. The money is going to the foundation. They've already chosen their causes and that's what they focus on. Mostly aids and education.

And it sets a great example for all the other billionaires who find it more appropriate to build 17500 sq.ft mansions rather than comprehend that there actually are millions of starving kids!!!

HOWEVER, I don't feel that it is the responsibility of rich people to take care of the poor, but it is the noble thing to do.

Answer 4

I think if they want to use theyr money for those reasons it is great. But do they realize that there are just as many poor starving kids, or people with aids in the USA. Home is where the heart is. I guess their homes are in Africa.

Answer 5

When rich men use their own money legally, they can't "force" anything on anyone.

Just about whatever they do will be better than what governments do with the money we entrust to them.

Answer 6

i think we need more people who dedicate their lives to better others lives, all dumb asses who cant stand seeing other peoples stomuch;s full and living heatlhy complain, sting asses have all the money and dont want to spend, i hate such people.... if warren buffet and bill gates go out of their way to help people, i applaud them, i saluate them, they are awesome, and to those stingy dumb asses, go screw youself...

Answer 7

I think that what they are doing is wonderful. Amazing that some could make something bad out it. What a society we live in.....

Answer 8

You should have some compassion with both. They are public, if things go wrong, they are like lighting rods.


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Answer 9

Since you asked what my thought is, it's "I don't really care."

Thanks for asking though.

Had to be honest!