I don't usually use A/R as a place to get on my soapbox, but I read a story last night that contained a quote that made me sick with anger, and I wanted to sound off. So, excuse me while I get up on my soapbox...
Here's the article: Wall Street Journal From Sept 7th - Gates Foundation Acknowledges Flaws in Report
In a nutshell, the article discusses criticisms of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For those of you who are not aware, Billionaire Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, was convinced by his Billionaire friend, Warren Buffet, to make a substantial charitable donation - a reported $2 Billion at one point. Apparently, some questions have been raised as to who receives grants, and who does not, and why. The writer of this article clearly takes the position that more transparency is needed.
Before I let loose - here's the part that really fired up my blood pressure:
"Pablo Eisenberg of Georgetown University's Center for Public & Nonprofit Leadership said the foundation has a moral obligation to share its decision-making process more broadly as it distributes what is partly taxpayer dollars they saved on taxes by giving the money away."
Mr. Eisenberg goes on to say that the solution is more Board members, because, "There's no substitute for other points of view and perspectives around the table when a so-called board is about to make a decision on priorities and programs affecting $3 billion a year or more."
I think Mr. Eisenberg is hinting that he would like to get his hands on the billions of dollars... I mean, become a board member so he can ensure the money is being distributed properly. After all, clearly The Gates and Warren Buffet are incapable of doing it properly since they do not have a title like "Pablo Eisenberg of Georgetown University's Center for Public & Nonprofit Leadership."
So, I'm wondering: Maybe those Right-Wing Nuts aren't crazy? Maybe there is a movement in this country that wants to take away as much money from the wealthy as they can... Simply because the wealthy have more money and because they think they can..
"Partly taxpayer dollars..."? Really? Because "they saved on taxes..."? Really? This is disturbing to me. Then 
again, I only think I am entitled to money that I have earned, and to spend money I have. I would never make it in Washington, D.C. or at Georgetown University. Mr. Eisenberg seems to forget that we have a Tax Code in our Country. But why would we let a silly thing like the law stand in our way of getting our hands on someone else's money?
If I were giving away a billion dollars, I would tell Mr. Eisenberg to go do something inappropriate with himself. I will give my money to whomever I please. Could you imagine if Mr. Gates came out and said something like, "After careful consideration, I have decided to we are taking our money and moving to Bermuda. We will deliver all of our grant applications to Mr. Pablo Eisenberg of Georgetown University's Center for Public & Nonprofit Leadership. You can ask him about your grant applications."
For the record, I'm no fan of Bill Gates - or Microsoft, for that matter. I can put my personal feelings aside though, and recognize that Mr. Gates has probably paid more in Income Taxes than I will ever earn in my life. And that's OK with me - I have chosen my path and I am happy being a self-employed Home Stager. As I have been researching hiring employees, I can also recognize that Microsoft pays a huge amount of payroll taxes each year when they match their employees' taxes. Probably more than Bill Gates paid.
So it seems, there is no end to the amount of money people think you owe when you've become succesful. And, if you were to ask me, the reason why the economy is still sputtering is that our President feels this way. You can say what you want about "Joe the Plumber" - but thanks to him, The President is on tape saying that he wants to spread the wealth around.
Off my soap box - time to get on the Internet and see what kind of Home Staging opportunities there are in Costa Rica...
[image: Red 3d Dollar Sign by renjith krishnan from freedigitalphotos.net]
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