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Steve Jobs Ranked World's 136th Richest Person
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Translation: I have never met Bill Gates and am just talking out my ass with no proof whatsoever, but seeing as how I hate Microsoft / Love Apple, I'll just go with it. Also, "my law school prof told me, so it must be true!" Ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as:
So what are you saying? Are you saying that Bill Gates' donations go towards sweat shops?? Wow. Just.......wow.
It applies to both scentences. He accused me of being depressed but I'm quite the opposite. I just forget that the internet doesnt do serious and has the average vocab of a 10 year old. My friends and I get into really intense conversations about all kinds of useless crap. XD
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Death to charitable Gates!
Huzzah for wealthy Jobs!
Death to charitable Gates!
Huzzah for wealthy Jobs!
Charity is always behind closed doors. Otherwise it's a show, it's pr, it's tax exemption. Steve is into zen buddhism, I am sure he gives ample but keeps it to himself.
I suspect the people on the receiving end of Bill Gates' (and anybody else's) life-saving donations really aren't too concerned about the motives behind the donation or whether the donator is walking round in an "I'm going to Heaven" T-shirt.
If Bill is really trying to make a difference, then I can respect him for that. I don't know his motives, I don't know if he is trying to seek a tax break only; I don't know if he has pet projects or if he lets independent groups use his donations as they see fit.
What I would hope, is that when he is credited for donating *billions*, that he is, in fact, freely giving away billions of *actual dollars*. What I don't like to hear, and what I suspect is happening in some instances of his giving, is that a donation is credited as millions -- when in fact it is actually a donation of a given number of Windows Licenses, or something of that nature, that are said to be worth 500 dollars each (or 250, or full retail value, or whatever). I think this is how he paid off an EU fine one time. Some difference that makes to the world, eh? It actually exacerbates the situation he has been fined for, and I find this incredible.
Nestle gets flak for 'dumping' baby milk formula in Africa that doesn't meet European standards; and it stops nursing mothers there from producing milk, while at the same time exposing infants to dodgy water. Wonderful. I really hope most of Mr Gates' giving is the giving of real money straight to recognized international charities with good oversight that know what to do with it -- and that it is not just shuffling "value" around to his own "windows-for-every-child"-type projects, through his own channels. I mean, that's how the rest of us give; why should he be any different, right? Or does he think he can solve problems better than the experts or something? (without creating more).
What I would hope, is that when he is credited for donating *billions*, that he is, in fact, freely giving away billions of *actual dollars*. What I don't like to hear, and what I suspect is happening in some instances of his giving, is that a donation is credited as millions -- when in fact it is actually a donation of a given number of Windows Licenses, or something of that nature, that are said to be worth 500 dollars each (or 250, or full retail value, or whatever). I think this is how he paid off an EU fine one time. Some difference that makes to the world, eh? It actually exacerbates the situation he has been fined for, and I find this incredible.
Nestle gets flak for 'dumping' baby milk formula in Africa that doesn't meet European standards; and it stops nursing mothers there from producing milk, while at the same time exposing infants to dodgy water. Wonderful. I really hope most of Mr Gates' giving is the giving of real money straight to recognized international charities with good oversight that know what to do with it -- and that it is not just shuffling "value" around to his own "windows-for-every-child"-type projects, through his own channels. I mean, that's how the rest of us give; why should he be any different, right? Or does he think he can solve problems better than the experts or something? (without creating more).
He should probably start thinking about how to take over the world. I mean he's going to die anyway, like the rest of us. Why not do in style.
In any case, the Charitable argument going on above is a bit pointless. All rich people give money to charities for tax breaks, but even so, charities still benefit. So the system works for everyone involved. Rich people aren't philanthropist personality types, how do you thin they got rich? By spending their time doing charity work? Of course not, they get rich by being ambitious. Not a bad thing at all, good even.
In any case, the Charitable argument going on above is a bit pointless. All rich people give money to charities for tax breaks, but even so, charities still benefit. So the system works for everyone involved. Rich people aren't philanthropist personality types, how do you thin they got rich? By spending their time doing charity work? Of course not, they get rich by being ambitious. Not a bad thing at all, good even.
A wiser man than myself once said that if the blood on the hands of "philanthropist" would roll the streets would all choke. It's not all black and white.
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Please define your question further so I can respond.
Here are a few things I am "on" in case I can answer your question now:
Planet? Earth.
Landmass? England.
Vehicle? Hyster Fortens 5.5t truck with clamp attachment.
Smartphone? Nexus One.
Narcotics? None.
If any further clarification is needed, please see your nearest dictionary and look up the word "Sarcasm".
Glad to help.
MorphingDragon said:
Please define your question further so I can respond.
Here are a few things I am "on" in case I can answer your question now:
Planet? Earth.
Landmass? England.
Vehicle? Hyster Fortens 5.5t truck with clamp attachment.
Smartphone? Nexus One.
Narcotics? None.
If any further clarification is needed, please see your nearest dictionary and look up the word "Sarcasm".
Glad to help.
lowly minions can be dealt with, but that terrifying image of steve jobs is etched into my mind forever.
You do not give away 300 Million USD to the World Health Organization Of The United Nations for their Malaria programme just to save on taxes. I worked at and for WHO when Bill was in Geneva to discuss this donation and to get an answer to his question whether WHO could even deliver what they promised when they received that money. And he was not talking about a tax reduction for himself when he asked that, but whether WHO was even able to properly put that money to use.
In all the books written about Steve Jobs, however, you can read that he is as cheap as it gets, while everybody who has worked for Microsoft says that Microsoft is a generous company to its employees.
In many countries you get tax cuts if you donate money to charity or use it for charity work.
A motive isnt always bad, youve been watching to much Anime.
You guys are discussing whether true altruism is possible. Huge topic in psychology. No clear answer. Bill Gates is awesome for his donations anyway, though.
ok, Do we want to keep this man suffering with that amount of money? I say let's stop buying Apple products and make a trade all of us, Instead of giving him the money let's enjoy it ourselves! Who says "ME"???
Anyone?
aaaoooowwww.. crap. Le me buy an iPad then.
Anyone?
aaaoooowwww.. crap. Le me buy an iPad then.
He gets a tax deduction of around 105 Million on that 300 Million donation. On top of that, giving big donations helps him negotiate tax when moving into other territories, and Apple do negotiate their tax, which you know of course from the recent news.
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People love to dwell on the terribly unethical business practices of Gates and Microsoft in the past so nothing the man can do would ever appease some of the members here.
I can't really believe that things are being banded about like self gratification and tax evasion on what the B&M Gates foundation have done and continue doing, it makes no sense to me.
Honestly, what young Gates and co got up to I the past makes him an utter wanker but what he is doing now shouldn't be dismissed the way it is. I suppose because of who he is his actions now will not be appreciated by some but I sure do think what he and his wife are doing is good.
Winni said:
People love to dwell on the terribly unethical business practices of Gates and Microsoft in the past so nothing the man can do would ever appease some of the members here.
I can't really believe that things are being banded about like self gratification and tax evasion on what the B&M Gates foundation have done and continue doing, it makes no sense to me.
Honestly, what young Gates and co got up to I the past makes him an utter wanker but what he is doing now shouldn't be dismissed the way it is. I suppose because of who he is his actions now will not be appreciated by some but I sure do think what he and his wife are doing is good.
It's a reality though. Businesses get tax breaks on Charity. It's not about Bill Gates, it's about his financial advice, it's the same as any other company being advised by the Big 4. Why would you even dispute or deny it? Even small businesses like mine have been told to keep receipts for products which we may donate to charity as we can have the tax deducted on it later. And we're just a small startup.
There's no point taking an extreme PoV on this. Businesses do what's best for their shareholders, and that includes big charity donations, and in turn, Charities benefit from this, in fact, they rely on it. That's why we have tax breaks and tax deductions in the first place.
I have no doubt that every so often CEOs have crisis' of conscience, or that they see something that moves them and they will donate. I don't doubt that Gates is a good man either, but it's easy to look good when you're made of gold. Face it, top tier business people are ambitious and at times ruthless. Don't get carried away with the PR that companies pay to have put out..
Charitible acts always have ulterior motives, even if its just attention seeking. True charity is something not humanly possible.
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That isnt a particularily good picture of jobs.
