MS is trying to help a lot of sick people. This type of research shouldn't play politics, it's about helping the world. MS isn't trying to claim ownership over the research or anything.

Sure it matters, fighting tuberculosis is a good thing. Does it factor in the OS debate? Not one single solitary bit. What does Linux have to do with a charity Bill Gates is setting up?

I have a hard time accepting that the guy could do anything out of the kindness of his heart, anything that would not in turn benefit himself financially but regardless of motive, this is a good thing. 83 million dollars to help sick kids is an awesome contribution.

I agree with everything you said there mikshaw. It could have been for a tax break, it could have been to make him/his company look better, it could of been for a thousand other reasons. But the fact remains is he did it, and regardless of his motive it is a good thing for him to do. I would donate millions of dollars to good causes too... just got to work on step #1: making millions of dollars

Quote:

Originally posted by mikshaw I have a hard time accepting that the guy could do anything out of the kindness of his heart, anything that would not in turn benefit himself financially but regardless of motive, this is a good thing. 83 million dollars to help sick kids is an awesome contribution.

This is what I was thinking and why I posted the poll.

83 million is what he does in an hour. I do 7 dollars an hour. Is donating 7 dollars to a fundation an incredible act? No. Could he donate more? Yes. Did he ever donate more? Yes.

If it's like most non-profit orgs in the U.S., one million will make it to TB sufferers and the rest will go to pay the salaries of Bill Gates' aunts, uncles and nephews, who all have executive positions running the "foundation" (though most will never actually show up to work.)

Oh, I forgot to mention the best part of the non-profit scam. Not only does he get to give his friends and family cushy do-nothing jobs, he gets to deduct 83 million from his taxes. Wouldn't surprise me if the richest man in the world pays no federal income tax this year. What a deal!

83 million dollar write off at the end of the year is one thing to come to mind.

besides that.. MS and Gates himself have always dontated sh** loads to charity.

I used to work for a small company.. at the end of the year (every year).. the owner paid cash for a new car for him.. new one for his wife, and very expensive luxury car.. paid about 300,000 cash for all of them...

can you guess why he made these purchases.. you thoughts are correct, the guy got almost all his money back... not to mention the fact he sold the cars back in january and got cheaper cars....

It was cool the first 2 years i was there.. because the christmas bonux was a little over 3k (i didnt make jack), the last couple months i worked there.. he decided not to give a bonus, because the company did not make enough money that year... and not to tell us he wasnt until three days before christmas....

But after christmas... sure enough him & his wife drive up in mercedes 730il's

Not exactly taking 83 mil off his tax burden...it's 83 mil that won't be taxed. It sounds similar, but not quite the same.