28 Jun 06
Originally posted by flexmoreWhat do you mean "opposite to my views"? You don't even KNOW my views! I never said that I supported going into Iraq! I give to charity. What do you do besides "spin" the words to your point of view?
it is a shame that we cannot all just pay taxes and believe that the taxes will be doing the world some good.
instead the taxes just go to war and destruction and evil, they go to patriotic nationalistic governments set on squashing the poorest nations, and their poverty stricken people, into the dirt ... it is only if you can dodge paying your taxes, t ...[text shortened]... ams of tax lawyers to make sure that the american government does not get to misuse their money)
28 Jun 06
Originally posted by CyborgWell said! And True! ...recc'ed
Here's a related article regarding American generosity.
by Bruce Bartlett
Jan. 3, 2005
NCPA.org
The other day, a United Nations official accused the U.S. of being "stingy" in terms of aid to tsunami victims in South Asia.
After criticism from the State Department, the official clarified his position. Americans aren't being stingy in helping tsunami vic ...[text shortened]... heir investment and income.
It also pays a fourth of the salaries of U.N. bureaucrats.
28 Jun 06
Originally posted by XanthosNZOk...I'll pick both...great examples of giving, but that was before the ridiculous welfare system in Europe (or NZ?) was founded...so, the woman gave "her" dollar, not the states' dollar...see the difference?
Well it could be:
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Matthew (ch. 6, v. 3-4)
Or:
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple ...[text shortened]... erty, put in everything—all she had to live on.
Mark (ch. 12, 41-44)
Take your pick really.
28 Jun 06
Originally posted by chancremechanicAre you trying to claim that the nature of philanthropy is different now because of welfare systems?
Ok...I'll pick both...great examples of giving, but that was before the ridiculous welfare system in Europe (or NZ?) was founded...so, the woman gave "her" dollar, not the states' dollar...see the difference?
28 Jun 06
Originally posted by shavixmirI'd say the unemployed single mother is more benevolant.
Is Warren Buffet who gives 30 billion dollars to charity more benevolant than an unemployed single mother who gives a dollar to that same charity?
Buffet and Gates making the said donations would still be worth $12.9 Billion and $16.6 Billion respectively.
I also imagine they'd get good tax concessions and other value due to goodwill.
The unemployed single mother would miss out.
28 Jun 06
Originally posted by chancremechanicI've travelled and done work helping people in South America and Asia.
Bill Gates travels the world visiting 3rd-world countries...what rock have you been hiding under, STANG!?
I don't imagine you hiding under a rock.
I see you wearing velcro gloves and running across green fields chasing sheep.
I don't see you helping anyone.
28 Jun 06
Originally posted by Derfel CadarnAnd how much slave labour has Warren Buffet benefited from ?
I wish people would stop dwelling on what country someone is from. The guy donated 30 BILLION dollars...If you had 30 billion dollars to spare, would you donate it? No, you wouldn't. You'd buy a big house, nice cars, probably your own island. Stop criticizing.
I bet Buffett didn't even want the attention that came with his donation.
28 Jun 06
Originally posted by chancremechanicIs it a different story?
So you know the Bible...good for you. To answer your question from a capitalist, and blunt standpoint, yes, he is more generous because he "earned" it, and the welfare (I know you said unemplyed, so I'm assuming she is in Holland receiving welfare and saving it for her French Riviera holiday) mother was "given" that dollar by the tax-payer, especial ...[text shortened]... land. Now, if one is working poor and gives his last dollar, that is a different story....
Please explain how the millionaire is making his money when other people are actually doing all the labour for him?
28 Jun 06
1. No-one makes tens of billions of dollars without it being at someone else's expense !
2. Donations can fund cures for illness. With tens of billions of dollars to spare, how many lives could have been saved if even half was donated earlier ?
3. Imagine the tax concessions, goodwill and return on investment they'll make !
28 Jun 06
Originally posted by shavixmirThanks to having the nous, the balls and the motivation to build a company thousands of employees now have an opportunity to make their own money.
Is it a different story?
Please explain how the millionaire is making his money when other people are actually doing all the labour for him?
It's not quite so simple as just making people labour. They need to be the right people doing the right things, this needs direction.
There is enormous responsibility in running even a small company, deciding which projects to take on,what direction to go in.
So as long as all dealings are voluntary a person can become a multi billionaire at no-ones expense STANGBO. When a person chooses to trade their time for money generally they do so to improve their position. At the end of the deal both the employer and employee are better off. If either of them is making a loss on the deal it shouldn't go on for long.