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https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/09/05/bernie-sa...
The 2B are less costly than losing the whole shebang. I would not be surprised in the least if he ends up still controlling the 2B and this ends up as just a headline.
Call me cynical, but shouldn't this $2B go towards compensating his employees well enough to not have to use government welfare programs? [0] [0]: https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-takes-walmarts-spot-w...
I don’t agree with Bezos on a few things, but this is big. It’s about time companies care for their down and out compatriots. Progressives make all kinds of noise and virtue signal for people outside our care, but where the rubber meets the road, they fall short on helping fellow Americans—this is a nice start. Let’s see where it goes. Wonder if he’ll get Bernie to contribute (tongue in cheek)
A nit, but this is still a little like dominoes fixing pot holes in the city so their drivers can actually deliver. Sure it's great, but it would be better to pay a more fair share of taxes and provide a safety net for our people and the money needed to maintain common infrastructure.
I don't doubt this will be a more efficient endeavor than a government one, but it's also not really accountable to anyone. And bezos can actually just hire two PR people and shut the rest of it down. He has no obligation to homeless people, and no obligation to see this to the end. I'm sure he will, but it's pretty fucked to think that companies will be less self interested in their charity than in their business, or a government.
The idea that we should just make a few mega rich then depend on their kindness to address societies woes is really toxic.
Call me cynical, but shouldn't this $2B go towards compensating his employees well enough to not have to use government welfare programs? [0] [0]: https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-takes-walmarts-spot-w...
Earlier this year, under pressure from Amazon and other large employers, Seattle’s City Council repealed an employee head tax designed to provide housing and services for the homeless. In a statement, Amazon called the vote “the right decision for the region’s economic prosperity. We are deeply committed to being part of the solution to end homelessness in Seattle and will continue to invest in local nonprofits” that work with the homeless.
Oligarchy?
I have always wondered which one is better: 1. Contribute early on little by little 2. Contribute nothing to very little for a while amassing huge fortunes (and compound interest magic), then donate big. Pretty much the same question as lump sum vs dollar cost averaging in investing. Have there been studies on this?
Call me cynical, but shouldn't this $2B go towards compensating his employees well enough to not have to use government welfare programs? [0] [0]: https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-takes-walmarts-spot-w...
There is more glory in philanthropy than in paying your employees. The ROI in terms of reputation is higher. Addition: the same is true for funding something like a computer lab at a school. Lots of good PR for funding a new one but nothing for keeping an existing one funded for the next few years. Although I think it's more valuable to make sure existing infrastructure stays funded.
Crazy thought but are we incentivizing this behavior?
I haven’t seen any math on this, but if I pay workers more I still pay the same tax rate on profits and profits will be lower.
OTOH if I pay them less, profits are higher, my stock goes up. I donate stock to my charitable fund and get a personal tax break.
I don’t agree with Bezos on a few things, but this is big. It’s about time companies care for their down and out compatriots. Progressives make all kinds of noise and virtue signal for people outside our care, but where the rubber meets the road, they fall short on helping fellow Americans—this is a nice start. Let’s see where it goes. Wonder if he’ll get Bernie to contribute (tongue in cheek)
That's pretty presumptuous of you, isn't it?
For one, it ignores that the system and actions that give Bezos the ability to do this, i.e. accumulation of wealth, are a contributor to problem itself. Second, he'll use this as both a distraction and tax write-off. Third, rubber meeting the road isn't just about money. I spend many, many hours each month doing service within my community - from youth groups, to after-school programs, to community cleanup, etc. As do many of my friends, both conservative and progressive.
Trust me, he isn't special. $2 billion is LESS THAN 2% of his net worth!!
So, yeah, he's still a scourge, but I'll happily encourage him to distribute the wealth he builds off of the exploitation of average people.
I don’t agree with Bezos on a few things, but this is big. It’s about time companies care for their down and out compatriots. Progressives make all kinds of noise and virtue signal for people outside our care, but where the rubber meets the road, they fall short on helping fellow Americans—this is a nice start. Let’s see where it goes. Wonder if he’ll get Bernie to contribute (tongue in cheek)