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I agree, he seems not to have lost his moral compass -- he's no Larry Ellison. But something about the phrase "enormous number of claim checks on society" sugg
by username223 11y ago
I agree, he seems not to have lost his moral compass -- he's no Larry Ellison. But something about the phrase "enormous number of claim checks on society" suggests that he's collecting points, and trying to rack up a high score by the end of the game.
- organsnyder 11y agoTo me, it suggests exactly the opposite. Rather than simply seeing wealth as a high-score indicator, he recognizes that by holding onto it he is squandering a huge amount of potential wealth for society at large.
- georgemcbay 11y agoI'd argue the super-wealthy are only different than the "rest of us" in terms of scale on this issue. Relevant Louis CK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC4FnfNKwUo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC4FnfNKwUo I drive a cheap Honda Fit, not an Infinity, but the concept still applies to almost everyone who lives a decently comfortable western life.
- 13thLetter 11y agoIf Buffett wants to try to rack up a high score, and plays by fair and equal rules in the process (not hurting anyone, not pressuring people into transactions, paying his taxes on time, et cetera), what's wrong with him doing that?
- joosters 11y agoI'm veering off-topic here, but Buffett's large deals are often cunningly crafted so that taxes are eliminated. He's got the right to do that, but it doesn't make him a shining example of a taxpayer. Still, the charities he is giving his wealth to will get some of this benefit!