What's in it for Eli Broad and Bill Gates?

[proud2BlibKansan]

It can't be profit since they have more money than sense.

Why are these billionaires so determined to 'reform' public education? What's the payoff for them?

[tridim]

1. Gates has a long history of humanitarian work.

He knows he has too much money, and he's giving it away to make the World a better place.

There is no ulterior motive.

[Hannah Bell]

3. oh, that nice bill!

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Not buying it. Sorry.

He's not Mother Theresa.

[Starry Messenger]

2. I don't think the concept of "enough money" exists for these guys.

I think I remember a post by Hannah that outlined the massive tax breaks these guys get for this "philanthropy".

[Hannah Bell]

5. why here it is! 100% return on "investment"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8333944&mesg_id=8333944

[mzteris]

6. they care deeply about the human condition

the future of this country and it's children. They know that without a proper education, this country is going to implode within a generation.

Those who are NOT being educated properly MUST receive an equitable education. Not the nice little suburban areas or the cute little towns, but the inner city kids. The blacks and hispanics and disenfranchised poor who have been receiving nothing but short-shrift. There was one brief period of hope in a few places a couple of decades ago - but that has all fell by the wayside.

To say that these humanitarians who donate billions for the betterment of the world have some agenda? That's just ridiculous. Why does Bill Gates donate so much money to vaccine research and farming and third world countries? YOu think he "gets" something from it?

How about he "gets" some satisfaction from knowing he is DOING SOMETHING to better the world. If you had untold wealth, what would YOU do with it?

You may not care for their methods, but to impugn their motivation to try and make it something dirty? There is something really really wrong with that. Really wrong.

[Hannah Bell]

7. i think the undermining of fundamental democratic principles via the use of plutocratic wealth

is about as dirty as it gets.


bill gates cares about bill gates, inc. always has, always will.

four generations of wealth & elite connections.

fully-fledged dynastic member of the hereditary ruling class.

rockefeller-stillman national city bank, now citibank.

[Hannah Bell]

8. and i think this thread needs a kick.

[mzteris]

9. I think it is very arrogant to assume

that only certain people actually care about others.

Do you know these men? Have you met them? Have you followed their humanitarian endeavors? Would you be happier if they kept all that money to themselves instead of trying to help others? And what would you say about them then, eh?

How many of you - if you were suddenly mega wealthy - would do the SAME THING they are doing? Maybe not in the same way, but you would be donating money for research and development, for education and medicine and for those in poverty, for sustainable farming and energy, for the homeless, for the veterans, for the children, to end war and suffering, for health care and just to improve the condition of your fellow man???


Do you HONESTLY BELIEVE that you and only you (and no, I'm not using the "personal you" here but the "general you") CARE ABOUT OTHERS??

It's obvious that you believe that ONLY YOUR WAY is the right way, of course, but to dismiss out of hand the contributions of people just because you don't like their way of doing things - to accuse them of some type of chicanery? I don't get it. I just don't. You don't have to like their ideas, but please stop assuming they're lucifer's minions just because you happen to disagree with them.

[Reader Rabbit]

10. It's a symptom of megalomania.

Once a person gets a taste of money and power, he is compelled to use that power to control as many things as possible. Billionaires messing about in public education get the added benefit of a reputation as a philanthropist, rather than a ruthless bastard who walked over piles of bodies in order to make a fortune.