1. Tom wrote:

The United States needs the educational equivalent of the Marshall Plan (the rebuilding of Europe after WWII) in this country to rebuild, and/or modernize every elementary, middle, and high school in the nation if we hope to compete with India and China in the 21st Century. If we take Buffet’s and Bill Gates’ billions, and work around the clock, 24/7, just like we built the Pentagon back in the day, then we’ll be on the right track for the future.

2. Desiree wrote:

I don’t think it’s immoral to accumulate wealth, I think it’s immoral to horde it all away and not give to those less fortunate. He’s giving away 75% of his fortune. I think that is extremely noble. Although it still leaves him with 10 billion. I could get by on that!

3. RAD wrote:

I know his kids are probably throwing serious tantrums.

4. Desiree wrote:

I understand completely what you are saying. And I’m not saying that it’s not so incredibily lop-sided, but it’s not immoral. It is immoral that we don’t take care of our poverty stricken. It is immoral that we have people that do have millions and billions but only give it away to their children that didn’t work a day for the money. I think it’s immoral not to teach your children the value of money, especially when you are raised with wealth. But it is not immoral to have the drive, smarts and tenacity to build a business from scratch, make lots of money with it and then give it away. In our capitalist society that is what we are told to do. He just did it EXTREMELY well.

But the key word is extreme. He has extreme wealth. I’m just glad he feels the need to donate 75% of it. Even after that he will still me extremely wealthy. And I do believe he has always been a generous guy, but this is the also an extreme gift.

5. RAD wrote:

“I think it’s immoral not to teach your children the value of money, especially when you are raised with wealth.”
I hear ya Des. My question is, do you think a person who is raised with wealth can TRULY understand the value of money? Those who were not born rich or wealthy and became so later in life may certainly be able to comprehend this concept, however, if you’ve never experienced something, can you truly understand it?

6. Piscean Princess wrote:

do you think a person who is raised with wealth can TRULY understand the value of money?

Warren Buffet’s granddaughter was on Oprah discussing that very thing. She makes like $30k a year as an artist of some sort. He paid for her to go to college and that was it. No additional frills. School, then you’re on your own. She understands the value of a dollar and she respects her grandfather’s decision.

7. RAD wrote:

Oh yeah, I saw that one. That was his granddaughter? Wow. Well, I think she may be the exception rather than the rule. Plus, she was never raised with his wealth from the beginning so I think she’s understood the value of money all her life.

8. omodiende wrote:

without hot water I kind of enjoy the now elaborate bathing ritual (boiling water, carrying buckets, the extra time and attention of liminal cleansing)