Like most people, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be filthy, stinking rich. It’s not that I admire wealth or the wealthy to any particular degree, but what would it be like to never have to worry- EVER- about where your next Big Mac is coming from? To be able to do ANYTHING you want, whenever you want to do it, in whatever manner your choose to do it…yeah, I’d buy Pebble Beach….
Beyond that existential question, I have little use for the wealthy, most of whom see their good fortune as their birthright instead of the accident of birth that it is. What I admire is a person who recognizes their good fortune, and uses their wealth for something besides their own self-aggrandizement and entertainment. This is exactly why I admire Warren Buffett so much. Here is a person who has worked hard to achieve his material success, and now that he has more money than some Third World countries, he’s decided to give a goodly portion of it away. After all, how many billions does one person reasonably need?
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett said Monday his decision to leave most of his wealth to charity now was “logical,” adding that he feels “terrific” about the reversal of his long-stated plan to distribute his billions upon his death.
Buffett, the second richest man in the world, announced his plans to gradually give 85 percent of his wealth to five foundations in an exclusive interview with Fortune magazine published over the weekend.
The vast majority will go to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, run by Microsoft chairman - and the world’s richest man - Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda. The foundation, which has about $30 billion in assets, focuses on world health as well as improving U.S. libraries and schools. Buffett’s contribution will double the foundation’s current assets.
Buffett, who has often stated that he doesn’t believe in dynastic wealth, sees his accumulated wealth as a perfect opportunity to do a lot of good for a lot of people. Would that more of the mega-rich felt this way. The vast wealth that Buffett has amassed over the course of his long career will go a long ways toward improving the life and propects of millions of less-fortunate souls around the world.
With the combined wealth of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, there’s a good chance that this world will end up being a better to be…and that’s a good thing. Perhaps if more would folow Buffett’s example, we could save a few children, find cures for a few diseases, and make an honest-to-God difference. Wouldn’t that be something??
