Bill Gates: Brassmask Reader

[Brassmask]

From Political Wire

"Capitalism has improved the lives of billions of people -- something that's easy to forget at a time of great economic uncertainty. But it has left out billions more... Governments and non-profit groups have an irreplaceable role in helping them, but it will take too long if they try to do it alone. It is mainly corporations that have the skills to make technological innovations work for the poor. To make the most of those skills, we need a more creative capitalism: an attempt to stretch the reach of market forces so that more companies can benefit from doing work that makes more people better off. We need new ways to bring far more people into the system -- capitalism -- that has done so much good in the world."

http://www.politicalwire.com/


Sounds like that Brass Capitalism I once proposed long ago.  That blending of capitalism and socialism that America has put to use so well in the past but abandoned in the last 50 years or so.

[Plane]

Isn't Bill Gatyes an expert at playing the regular old capitalism?

What is the change he would like to make?

[Xavier_Onassis]

What is the change he would like to make?

========================================
Have you noticed Richard Mellon Scaife, for example, donating many millions to end malaria in Africa?

Gates deserves respect for trying to change the world for the good. You won;t catch guys like Roger Smith trying it.

[Plane]

What is the change he would like to make?

========================================
Have you noticed Richard Mellon Scaife, for example, donating many millions to end malaria in Africa?

Gates deserves respect for trying to change the world for the good. You won;t catch guys like Roger Smith trying it.

Why not ?
I thought it was a long tradition.

[BT]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Ford Foundation has given away tons more money that the Gates ever dreamed of doing. I believe Henry was fairly conservative.

[Plane]

What is the change he would like to make?

========================================
Have you noticed Richard Mellon Scaife, for example, donating many millions to end malaria in Africa?

Gates deserves respect for trying to change the world for the good. You won;t catch guys like Roger Smith trying it.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07182/798280-28.stm


The news is not all bad, however. Recognizing that malaria is a serious impediment to economic development, drug manufacturers and governments around the world are joining Global Impact member charities in providing and delivering effective new drugs, mosquito nets, infrastructure improvements and financial assistance that save lives and livelihoods.

http://www.charity.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=gtJUJfMQIqE&b=2506271&ct=5169987


Ok so most of the Malaria drugs used in Africa are delivered at reduced cost or at cost , I am not all that surprised.

There really isn't much money being made in Africa , a prosperous Africa would be a boon to all the worlds businesses, less disease would go a long way twards this, so research and help agi9nsr Malaria is probly a good business decision .

Even if there is no hope of reduceing malaria I don't think that the rich fatd to be heartless  , their pity can be appealed to and they do often give where there won't be a profit.  It may take a billion to make the front page , but gifts of a million don't make page three , too common.

[Xavier_Onassis]

Malaria is a worse problem by far than AIDS. It can be prevented with cheap insecticide-treated mosquito nets that cost a couple of dollars and last a year.

Fresh potable water is also inexpensive. A well is drilled, and a solar-powered pump is installed.

There is a tradition of SOME US megazillionaires donating their fortunes to the common good, but not all that many: Carnegie, Ford, Rockefeller, perhaps Hughes. But none have done more than Gates to date.

[Plane]

Malaria is a worse problem by far than AIDS. It can be prevented with cheap insecticide-treated mosquito nets that cost a couple of dollars and last a year.

Fresh potable water is also inexpensive. A well is drilled, and a solar-powered pump is installed.

There is a tradition of SOME US megazillionaires donating their fortunes to the common good, but not all that many: Carnegie, Ford, Rockefeller, perhaps Hughes. But none have done more than Gates to date.

What is the size of this "SOME"?