Bill Gates writes RN on Wealth disparities letter, Ralph Nader's comment

[Doug Henwood]

>Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 17:28:52 -0400 (EDT)
>Reply-To: love at cptech.org
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>From: James Love <love at cptech.org>
>To: Multiple recipients of list INFO-POLICY-NOTES
><info-policy-notes at essential.org>
>Subject: Bill Gates writes RN on Wealth disparities letter, Ralph Nader's
>comment
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>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 at cptech.org, http://www.cptech.org
>202.387.8030, fax 202.234.5176
>