James Love (by way of t byfield <tbyfield@panix.com>) on Thu, 6 Aug 1998 04:00:01 +0200 (MET DST) |
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<nettime> philanthropy |
[Original subject: "Bill Gates writes RN on Wealth disparities letter, Ralph Nader's comment"-T] On July 27, 1998, Ralph Nader sent a letter to Bill Gates, asking that he and Warren Buffett convene a conference on national and global wealth disparities, and what to do about it. Bill Gates wrote Mr. Nader to respond, in a letter dated August 4, which Mr. Nader received today, and Mr. Nader issued a brief statement in response to Mr. Gates' letter. Mr. Nader's first letter is one the web at: http://www.essential.org/antitrust/ms/rn2bg7-27.html Mr. Gate's August 4, 1998 letter and Mr. Nader brief note are included below: <----------------begin Bill Gates' Aug 4, 1998 letter--------> August 4, 1998 Mr. Ralph Nader Washington, DC Dear Mr. Nader: I want to respond personally to the letter that you sent me last week and address some of the topics you raised. Though we may disagree on a number of issues about Microsoft and the incredible innovation and competition in the software industry, it appears that we have something in common: an interest in philanthropy. It hasn't been much of a secret that I intend to give away the bulk of my wealth during my lifetime. I regard myself as a steward of that wealth, and on a number of occasions I have acknowledged what a great privilege and responsibility it will be to return it to society. Melinda and I have made a start on this process during the past few years, and have endowed two philanthropic foundations with more than $1 billion. Those foundations fund efforts in public health, education and the empowerment of the economically disadvantaged. One project we are very excited about is providing PC and Internet access to libraries throughout the U.S. and Canada. The vision of our Library Foundation is that anyone- regardless of their social status or income- who can get to a public library, will have access to the tremendous resources of the Internet. Already, library patrons and librarians are showing us the tremendous things people can accompllish when given the right tools. Libraries have been very important institutions to both Melinda and myself. I'm happy we could contribute to their continued development in this way. My primary responsibility at this time is to continue to guide Microsoft. This work is very rewarding because I believe that the low cost computing, which we have helped to create, is empowering people everywhere and is helping to make important advances in health care and education. Later in my career I will give away the bulk of whatever wealth this work creates in a way that does the most good possible. I am in agreement with my friend, Warren Buffett, when he says that people who are successful in one field should be careful about suggesting they know all the answers in other areas. I do encourage everyone I know to participate in philanthropy. However, philanthropy is very personal. I think people should give because they want to give, and not because of pressure from a conference or anyone who claims they have all the answers in this area. I'm happy to see that we agree on the important ends philanthropy can achieve and wish you all the best in your giving activities. Sincerely, Bill Gates Chairman & CEO <------------begin RN's brief response--------------------> Ralph Nader Response to Bill Gates August 4, 1998 Letter Mr. Gates kindly recounted his present and future philanthropic initiatives. My letter was not addressed to his philanthropy. It requested that he and Warren Buffett convene a conference of billionaires on the structural issues of wealth inequality in our country in order to explore, without any pre- judgment, the best experience and ideas for addressing this problem. Ted Turner, who has long held ideas on the leadership responsibility of billionaires, and Sol Price, founder of the Price Clubs and a thinker about these subjects, have told me that this is a meritorious request. I hope Mr. Gates will focus on the specific invitation to convene this conference. ### Ralph Nader wrote a letter to Mr. Gates on July 27, 1998 asking him and Warren Buffett to convene this conference. For More Information contact Ralph Nader at: 202-387-8030. -- James Love Consumer Project on Technology P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC 20036 love@cptech.org, http://www.cptech.org 202.387.8030, fax 202.234.5176 --- # distributed via nettime-l : no commercial use without permission # <nettime> is a closed moderated mailinglist for net criticism, # collaborative text filtering and cultural politics of the nets # more info: majordomo@desk.nl and "info nettime-l" in the msg body # URL: http://www.desk.nl/~nettime/ contact: nettime-owner@desk.nl