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I am going to repeat here, what I posted on hist site. Mr Gates, I am hoping you posted this not only to express your opinion, but to engage in conversation.
by mempko 12y ago
I am going to repeat here, what I posted on hist site.
Mr Gates,
I am hoping you posted this not only to express your opinion, but to engage in conversation. And it appears you certainly are.
My criticism with your response is that philanthropy distorts economic resources through a similar mechanism that consumption does.
That is, by dictate.
I believe in the idea that people who are affected by decisions made should have a say in those decisions. This is the value of democracy.
And just like consumption of fine wine and jewelry distorts the economy to produce more of those things, philanthropy moves vast economic resources for what I would call "the pet projects of philanthropists". Typically the people affected by the philanthropic expenditures have no say. More often than not, no democracy processes take place.
A king who lives a modest lifestyle, who spends all his wealth on what HE thinks is just and good, is still a king. And I hold contempt for his arrogance.
- JeffL 12y agoVery interesting and thought-provoking point. Although on the other hand, I personally think that Bill Gates, acting as a king and trying to figure out what he thinks will do the most justice and good, is going to do better for the world than what people in a democracy will vote for themselves. Democracy has given us unbalanced budgets, runaway debt, pointless wars, and corrupting entitlements. Bill Gates is doing some amazing and wonderful things. Not saying that monarchy is better than democracy. Democracy is best at protecting rights, which is the function of government. But as for making the world a better place, really, individuals are probably best at that.
- mempko 12y agoI am guessing when you say "democracy" you are referring to places like the USA? If so, let me ask you a question. Do you feel that you have a say in decisions that affect you day to day? If the answer is no, I feel it isn't fair to blame the problems we have on democracy. As for what the system the USA has, well, these guys think it is a Plutocracy http://politicalgates.blogspot.com/2011/12/citigroup-plutonomy-memos-two-bombshell.html http://politicalgates.blogspot.com/2011/12/citigroup-plutono...