[ChicagoHebrew]

Top that off with that he doesn’t believe in helping his family, but willing hands over billions of dollars of Berkshire stock to the nonprofit Gates foundation

That's just libelous. Where is there one shred of evidence that any member of Buffet's family wants for anything? As I understand it, he's set them up quite comfortably -- but not so comfortable that they become spoiled and don't ever have to work for an honest wage.

And criticizing him for giving his wealth to charity instead of turning his offspring into spoiled Paris Hilton clones? That's just ridiculous.

Reading this thread, it seems like far too many people have Free Republic disease: they don't like a man's politics (I don't like Buffet's politics either) so they feel the need to denigrate and attack him for everything he's done, including things that are totally non-political, or even sensible (the Gates Foundation does tremendous, mostly politically unobjectionable work).

[farmer18th]

There’s a difference between not wanting your children to be Paris Hilton and arguing for an estate tax that effectively keeps small businesses from transfering ownership generation to generation. Warren Buffet is an evil, Clinton-cheering, baby-killing monster, and you should be ashamed for defending him.

[cherry]

I question his contributions......I believe that both he and Gates have a way of skirting paying taxes...something he thinks the rest of us should do more of....by having this private little charity.....

they can save money AND send their money to whatever they want.....

and besides, what else do either of them need?.....Gates has a zillion dollar hugmongous mansion on Lake Washington....he doesn't live deprived nor frugally....

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

Reading this thread, it seems like far too many people have Free Republic disease: they don't like a man's politics (I don't like Buffet's politics either) so they feel the need to denigrate and attack him for everything he's done, including things that are totally non-political, or even sensible (the Gates Foundation does tremendous, mostly politically unobjectionable work).

The important things in life are utterly non-political.

Even one who believes in justification by law should not want to stand before his Creator with the blood of innocents on his hands.

[willyd]

I agree with you. Wasn’t it Buffet that built the park for the little league world series in omaha? I can see where that would po a lot of people...lol.

[Gen-X-Dad]

Top that off with that he doesn’t believe in helping his family, but willing hands over billions of dollars of Berkshire stock to the nonprofit Gates foundation

That's just libelous. Where is there one shred of evidence that any member of Buffet's family wants for anything?

Well, this is just my personal observation from reading his autobiography and watching a show on Oprah with the wife, where his granddaughter stated he does not help his children or grandchildren. All he would do is pay for their college education and then they were on their own. The point I am making is he should not be held up as a folk hero. Yes, the man is a brilliant investor but it seems to me he has let his family down. With his wealth, there really is no reason for doing that. Meanwhile, he is a blatant hypocrite that wants to tax people more while sheltering his wealth in a nonprofit charity. If he was the least bit sincere he should let Uncle Sam get their cut or basically quit telling everyone else we need to be taxed more.