STORM2K

FORTUNE EXCLUSIVE: The world's second richest man - who's now worth $44 billion - tells editor-at-large Carol Loomis he will start giving away 85% of his wealth in July - most of it to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/25/magazin ... tm?cnn=yes

This is wonderful news.

I ccome to believe that the interests of the world will only be advanced by individuals and groups of individuals. Nations and organizations consisting of groups of member states have had their time under the sun, and I think their record speaks for itself.

I really think the Gates foundation is a wonderful one. No better place to donate his fortune to, IMO.

He's donating his money to a 501C3 org, in which he will get his $$$ back from thre gov't... Relating to kevin's "one worlder" ideas, we still live in the United States of America.. a nation state which many patriots have died and fought for...

It's interesting when you look at the difference between Millionaires and Billionaires.

Millionaires (and I mean multi-millionaires, not some guy who sold his hardware store after 30 years for a million dollars) are often cheap and act like they're taking their money with them. They're more likely to be concerned with matters of self-interest and self-promotion. Billionaires are more interested in leaving a legacy, and are much more concerned with the well being of the population at large. You see this in the fact that Billionaires are just about the most fiscally liberal people in America. Almost without exception, they believe their money should be taxed and then taxed again. It's funny how much you stop caring about money when you have more than you'll ever need.

ThunderSnow1 wrote:He's donating his money to a 501C3 org, in which he will get his $$$ back from thre gov't... Relating to kevin's "one worlder" ideas, we still live in the United States of America.. a nation state which many patriots have died and fought for...

You can question my patriotism until the cows come home. But you are assuming some very basic things. That 'we' live in the United States of America (myself included), that I am against the existence of America, that I am postulating that the world would be better off without America, etc. I have said nothing of the sort. All that I have asserted is that the interests of the world will not be advanced without the actions of individuals. This is basic international relations 101, that nations act in their self interests. They do this because they are rational actors. Since there are many of them and there are limited resources, conflict exists. What I am saying is that the old enemies of mankind (every person, regardless of geography or nationalisation) will only be conquered by individuals acting outside of their obligations.

Oh, and just so you know, I f'in love this country.