Christine:
>Most of the men I know think Bill Gates is a hero of some sort. I am really puzzled by that. I think he is very bright, but quite arrogant and totally ruthless. Did I forget to say absolutely unethical as well?
Perhaps many men think that because Bill gates IS a hero. Look at his accomplishments. And much of it (at least in the early days of Microsoft) sprang from his mind. There would be no Microsoft idf it wasn't for Bill Gates. The government couldn't decree it into being. People couldn't beg for it to pop into existence. No law could be passed declaring that someone had to create it. No. Microsoft only exists because of Bill Gates. And from him has sprung tens of thousands of jobs directly and tens of millions of jobs indirectly. This is how capitalism works: it creates wealth and opportunity all around, even though that is not especially the intent (nor should it be) of the Creator.
And why is it when a Creator is successful and focused, people call it ruthless? But when a Mother Teresa is focused, she is somehow benign and saintly? I say Bill Gates has done more good for the world in ONE YEAR, than Mother Teresa had done in he whole lifetime. . . or Princess Di could've done in ten lifetimes.
And why do you call him arrogant? Because he has supreme self-esteem? Because he's confident? Because he goes after what he wants and finds a way around obstacles to succeed?
And why do you call him unethical? How? And how do you define "ethics"?
>I can see why he appeals to you, because he is the epitome of "greed is good".
No, Christine. He is a good role model for a Creator in many (but not all) ways. Who should kids aspire to? A basketball or TV star, a politician, a minister, or a Bill Gates?
>I have strong feelings about playing fair, which may be more of a female quality--I don't know.
This is where relying on feelings instead of using your head can get you in trouble. Business is competition. (The Japanese go so far as to say that business is war!) Bill Gates is very successful. Losers whine. They want Bill handcuffed because he is a little smarter and outmanuevers them faster than they can outmanuever him. He is a brilliant marketer so they cry "foul!" -- too bad.
>Creating a monopoly, forcing other companies out of business, dominating the marketplace to the extent Gates does, is not really good for the economy.
The only way a true monopoly can exist is by government sanction (such as utility companies enjoyed for decades). Microsoft is not a monopoly.
>I hope the ongoing federal investigation firmly squelches him, actually.
I truly wish the federal government would return all power to individual States, decentralize itself and de-Hamiltonize itself and allow the men and women of this country to be really free under the Constitution again. You see, one individual like Bill Gates is worth more to the world than every Congressman and Senator scheming for power in Washington, and certainly worlds more valuable than the other Bill who resides on Pennsylvania Avenue.
>I realize he is now giving lots of money away, and that is very good. I suspect it is more to promote Microsoft, since most of his charity work is to get children hooked on computers,and out of guilt, than for any higher purpose.
Christine, what "higher purpose" can there be, but to realize the full potential of one's self? You start to sound like that despicable character, Ellsworth Toohey, in The Fountainhead. Check your premises! Do YOU really think this, or have you been told to think this by government hacks, media messiahs or newspaper nitwits? Do not let them turn you into a parrot-woman where their evil thoughts gush past your lips.
>That is not a purely bad thing, if it gives children access to knowledge, but I have more respect for wealthy people who try to do things that will not result in more profits for their companies.
Would you like to retract the statement you made a while back that you are a "libertarian"? This is pure socialist crap, Christine. What is the purpose of a company? TO MAKE PROFITS. Catch this: that is its ONLY TRUE PURPOSE. The first three duties of any company are profits, Profits, PROFITS. Start a company, then you'll see what I mean!
Oh, Great Galt educate this wavering One, your precious Christine!!!
Father Terrence |
