[quote=CA renter]Of course he gives a greater percentage of his income/wealth to charity than the average American. It’s much easier to do that when you have a net worth in the billions and annual earnings in the millions, as opposed to a net worth in the tens or hundreds of thousands (if one is lucky).[/quote]Yes, but that’s exactly my point. The poor people of the world benefits much more because Bill Gates has his billions instead of it being spread out between a few million middle class American.

[quote=CA renter]But charity isn’t the only “good” way to spend money. How about putting more money into the hands of “regular” people, like customers and employees — money that is more likely to be spent on goods and services…creating a greater demand for goods and serives…thereby, creating more jobs.

I would rather have a good job than be the recipient of charity. But that might not garner the idol worship for the rich that highly concentrated wealth (and their “benevolent generosity”) tends to generate.[/quote]This is purely your opinion. That’s OK, but not everyone agree with it. I think middle class Americans are doing just fine. I would much rather have that money goes to the truly poor people of Africa or South East Asia or any other 3rd world countries. But regardless, neither you or I have Bill Gates’ money, so ultimately, it’s he who decides what he would rather spend that money on.