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While some might feel that it is unfair for the market to decide who gets billions and who gets nil, democracy isn't perfect either. Frankly I feel more comfort

by jVinc 9y ago

While some might feel that it is unfair for the market to decide who gets billions and who gets nil, democracy isn't perfect either. Frankly I feel more comfortable having Bill Gates picking what causes are just than Donald Trump.

sharkweek 9y ago
I’m not assuming your politics here, but replace Bill Gates with Koch Brothers, and Donald Trump with Barack Obama, would you still feel comfortable with your statement?
- JasonFruit 9y ago
  I'm not the GP, but I'm comfortable saying I'd prefer for people to decide what to do with their own money than have politicians do it for them, yes — even if they put it toward causes I don't personally consider wise.
- scarface74 9y ago
  I use to believe that the Koch Brothers were the boogeyman. No, I don't agree with many of the politicians they support, but they are also donating to causes like criminal justice reform, getting rid of civil asset forfeiture. They have spoken out against the demonization of "other". They have worked with the ACLU to abolish mandatory minimums. On the other hand, they have funded studies that try to dispel that global warming is real, and they have been accused of having undue influence on colleges they give grants to.
Maarten88 9y ago
The problem, of course, is not Bill Gates but the many other billionaires, who are less enlightened. There are also billionaires who use their fortune to actively influence politics (in a way that is probably mostly beneficial to themselves - such as the Koch family supporting Trump). There must also be lots of billionaires who, just by passively remaining billionaires and taking no broader responsibility, add to the problem.
- scarface74 9y ago
  The Koch Brothers originally were outspoken opponents of Trump. But like many Republicans, they seem to see him as a "useful idiot" as long as he can get their policies passed. I'm making no judgement - here at least - on whether Trump is an idiot or not.

by jVinc 9y ago

sharkweek 9y ago

I’m not assuming your politics here, but replace Bill Gates with Koch Brothers, and Donald Trump with Barack Obama, would you still feel comfortable with your statement?

JasonFruit 9y ago
I'm not the GP, but I'm comfortable saying I'd prefer for people to decide what to do with their own money than have politicians do it for them, yes — even if they put it toward causes I don't personally consider wise.
scarface74 9y ago
I use to believe that the Koch Brothers were the boogeyman. No, I don't agree with many of the politicians they support, but they are also donating to causes like criminal justice reform, getting rid of civil asset forfeiture. They have spoken out against the demonization of "other". They have worked with the ACLU to abolish mandatory minimums. On the other hand, they have funded studies that try to dispel that global warming is real, and they have been accused of having undue influence on colleges they give grants to.

Maarten88 9y ago

The problem, of course, is not Bill Gates but the many other billionaires, who are less enlightened. There are also billionaires who use their fortune to actively influence politics (in a way that is probably mostly beneficial to themselves - such as the Koch family supporting Trump). There must also be lots of billionaires who, just by passively remaining billionaires and taking no broader responsibility, add to the problem.

scarface74 9y ago
The Koch Brothers originally were outspoken opponents of Trump. But like many Republicans, they seem to see him as a "useful idiot" as long as he can get their policies passed. I'm making no judgement - here at least - on whether Trump is an idiot or not.