Bezos Plans To Give Away Most Of His Fortune.

[Atheist]

I guess that he doesn't want to give his money to a govt, because they might not agree with his idea of worthy recipients. I feel uneasy that the rich should choose to give publicly to those they consider 'deserving', rather than give anonymously to an elected govt.

[bobbinwales]

Just wandering, are you uneasy about the rich giving to charity too?

[Atheist]

bobbin... No I don't think so. But I do fel uneasy about wealthy benefactors if they avoid (legally) tax so that they can then donate to what they consider worthy causes.

[Atheist]

bobbin... I suppose that I think that society would be better served by wealthy people ceding some of their wealth to elected representatives who try to act for the public good, rather than the good of those who are considered deserving by the wealthy.

[jackthehat]

Bezos has pledged $100m to Dolly Parton.
This is to help her continue with her work to bring books and literacy to the worlds' children.
Given the perceived falling standards in literacy in many countries, developed or otherwise, perhaps allowing committed, benign and benevolent 'amateurs' to help out where government agencies fail is the way forwards?

[bobbinwales]

//I suppose that I think that society would be better served by wealthy people ceding some of their wealth to elected representatives who try to act for the public good, rather than the good of those who are considered deserving by the wealthy.//
If they paid there due income/corporation/capitl gainsax then should have done what you say

[Atheist]

jackthehat; I don't disapprove of Bezos's choice of charity, I just feel that we shouldn't rely on charity to channel help to the less fortunate.

[jackthehat]

That point, being reliant on the 'wriggle-room' afforded to multi/billionaires by respective governments, is moot.

[Atheist]

jackthehat; I don't really understand your point. Can you clarify?

[jackthehat]

Of course, we shouldn't but whilst the great and the good are spaffing our tax-money on vainglorious projects, white elephants and incompetent administration 'someone' needs to take up the slack....

[Atheist]

jackthehat; I think you disapprove of what the government chooses tro spend on. I suppose I would say that at least they are elected representatives of the people.

[237SJ]

Might if he could give his money to people who have no safe drinking water and the basics of life, rather than books

[237SJ]

Might be 'better'

[jackthehat]

237SJ - It might well be. I don't know that he's not, but I do know that he has made a generous donation to Dolly.

[jno]

the Americans have a long tradition of philanthropy. You can hardly drive past a hospital without seeing a sign saying "John and Mary Smith Wing". But they like the opportunity to decide for themselves where their own money will go.

There's a sort of international ranking here but I'm not sure its methodology is up to much.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2019-12-20/the-worlds-most-generous-countries

[237SJ]

Good for him - I doubt Dolly is hard up though

[tiggerblue10]

To be fair, it's his money so he is entitled to do what he wants with it. It would be nice if more billionaires would give a helping hand during times like this. I'd like to think that many do.

[Tilly2]

Can't we just be pleased that his money is going to some worthy causes?

[Atheist]

Tilly; Yes, but my point is that the judgement of what is worthy would be better coming from elected representatives, rather than what wealthy people favour.

[cashier]

I wouldn't trust any elected representative in this country to distribute wealth fairly. It's his money and he can give it to whomever he wants. I'd like to see him pay for water where it's needed and some of the medical charities in the much poorer countries.

[Atheist]

cashier; "I'd like to see him pay for water where it's needed and some of the medical charities in the much poorer countries."
So would I. But would he? Whether or not I agree with our govt, at least they have been elected. I'd rather see an elected govt make these decisions than an unelected rich person. They may be good, or they may be bad.