Bezos Plans To Give Away Most Of His Fortune.

[Atheist]

I guess that he doesn't want to give his money to a govt, because they might not agree with his idea of worthy recipients. I feel uneasy that the rich should choose to give publicly to those they consider 'deserving', rather than give anonymously to an elected govt.

[jackthehat]

Atheist - Are you so certain that your elected representatives can be trusted to distribute these fortunes 'properly'?

[Atheist]

jackthehat; I can't be sure; but I might prefer that elected people make the decisions, rather than unlected rich people.

[cashier]

So would I but would he?
None of our elected representaives would. Jeff Bezos just might.

[gness]

I agree, Tilly. I've seen the pleasure on a child's face when the next Dolly Parton book comes through the letterbox.
As a child who was never bought a book by parents who thought a nose stuck in a book was a waste of time I'd have loved to have a new book every month....not that anyone would have read it to me though.

If the elected made sure schools like the one I worked in could afford books we wouldn't have had to buy them ourselves or organise a jumble sale.

[jackthehat]

Unelected rich people who, in the main, will have got rich by using their own talents can't be trusted with what happens to their fortunes, whereas we expect under-achievers and chinless wonders to be scrupulous when distributing large amounts of money which just fall into their laps?

[Atheist]

jakthehat; You are assuming that rich people "have got rich by using their own talents" and that politicians are "under-achievers and chinless wonders". Some of these people will fit your descriptions, but some won't. You are also assuming that the first category are the best people to decide where their gifts will best help the public good. I don't agree with your views, and I prefer to have elected people running things rather than rich people, who may be kind benefactors or not.

[albaqwerty]

Elected representatives waste money, A billionaire became one by not wasting money so, to my mind, he can do what he feels is right

[Peter Pedant]

law of wills and sccession vary from state to state

[Atheist]

Thanks, everyone. An interesting exchange of views.

[Hopkirk]

If he wants to spend his money on a deserving cause, he could start by looking after his own staff better.

[emmie]

i wouldn't trust a government to do this. It's his money and if he wants to give to a variety of charities then that's got to be a good thing....

[naomi24]

The rich can’t do right - even when they do. Don’t you want to decide where your money goes, atheist? I wouldn’t leave mine to the will of strangers.

[emmie]

neither would I. ^

[naomi24]

You only have to look at major charities - or indeed the NHS - to see how free those with their hands on the purse strings can be with other people’s money.

[emmie]

so true Naomi....

[davebro]

Atheist - I think you exhibit too much faith in our elected representatives (or those ones in government) to do the "right thing" with any money they get. This has proved not to be the case on a multitude of occasions.

[emmie]

the governments squander our money on many useless ideas. Bezos should do as he sees fit and give to charities that he supports.

[royfromaus]

Atheist
Tilly; Yes, but my point is that the judgement of what is worthy would be better coming from elected representatives,
________________________________

Despite evidence that elected representatives appear to be clueless or uncaring where the money would go?

[emmie]

to the undeserving of course.....

[davebro]

There is this of course (I think the participants are "unelected") but may be too much in cahoots with the gov.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Lottery_Community_Fund#Structure