Today in the NYT there is an interesting article called "Policy Making Billionaires". the premise is that the super rich are "donating" their money to drive policy in a specific direction.
One part of the article caught my attention
“As corporate citizens of the world, it is our responsibility — our duty — to serve the communities where we do business,” Mr. Schultz wrote, “by helping to improve, for example, the quality of citizens’ education, employment, health care, safety, and overall daily life, plus future prospects.”
For those of you who don't know Mr. Schultz he is the founder and CEO of Starbucks, the coffee place.
The "average" hourly rate of a Starbucks Barrista is $8.68, that is $18,000 a year for a 40 hour week.
Here is a suggestion to Mr. Schultz and all of the other "philanthropic" mega rich, how about paying a living wage to those who made you mega rich. Sure you do not get the cudos and platitudes that come with "donating" your wealth. Incidentally neither do you get to drive the conversation. On the other hand i bet that you can do far more "social good" by paying people a real wage for real work. than you ever would by simply donating your ill gotten gains to your favored charity (tax deductable and of coure focused in your area of interest). Perhaps if you paid a living wage many of the social ills you seek to address would not exist.
It is another of those disgusting NY times editorials that make me want to scream, how can you publish this pulp. The "liberal" NY Times gives journalistic falatio to it preferred social sect, i wonder how much advertizing Starbucks bought?
I have read too many of these pieces that tell me the 1% are trying to buy their conscious, I have listened to NPR and repeatedly heard that the Carnegee foundation is paying for my news. Those at the railroad, iron and steel guys who distroyed american lives to get rich, now a philanthropic organization.
I see little difference between Carneegee and Shultz.
How about instead of setting your fake legacy you pay the producers a living wage, then pay your taxes, then set your endowment.