Interesting perspective. I always thought there was more, much more. If the main driving force behind being honest, or raising a family, or building a home, or having the desire to be creative, or having the gift for art, or possessing the abiilities find cures for diseases is money, then the path the person is following is misguided. If a person is ambitious in their constructive pursuits that make them happy, the money will usually follow.
Don't you think that this is possibly whats wrong with our politicians, they're in it mainly for the money, and the power, and the office they can sell so they satisfy the lobbyist for "money?". Its done wonders for our nation, and perhaps why we are in the deepest recession since the Great Depression?.
Are you telling me that Bill Gates could not have had success or experienced substantial wealth if he were paid from the earnings the company generates?.
Gates is also a big time lobbyist for outsourcing, and insourcing, and the culprit behind American jobs either getting lost, or unfulfilled. Do you support this?. Many Americans have found themselves on the losing end when it came to their job. China, India, and countries who have people who will work for 1/20 these companies need to pay for American labor have moved abroad. Companies that were built, and grew into mega corporations because Americans believed what you do, invested in them and went to work for them with the hope of expansion of jobs getting created, had no idea that one day it may mean the loss of jobs in this country and perhaps their own.
Gates is only one of a multitude, but unlike the kind of money he rakes in, """"" but doesn't earn it""""". Gates is an extreme wealthy individual just for owning Msft, or rather owning the controlling shares, and would also be exceptionally wealthy if he were paid $1m or $2m a year from the companies earnings, thats how people who aren't insiders are paid, regular employee's. He and others like him, like Larry Ellis could have become billionaires by selling. There is no risk for him to be paid in stock, and stock options, or the insiders, but there surely is for you, or for me, and anyone else who owns a 401k, or saving for retirement thru some other means, and has exposure to the market. If he and his insider pals believe in Msft, and want to grow a portfolio it should be no different for them, the open market is available.
He's doing as good as hedgefund mgr, 25 last year raked in over a billion. The money doesn't fall out of the sky, someone losses it, and that someone is just average working day people who realize they will need something more than social security in their retirement age. Which may turn into 80 years old if the politicians have their way, and if they live so long. Granpa, and granma hitting the streets at this age is a pretty sad state of affairs.
You mentioned Gates plans to give 90% of it away when he dies?. Philanthropy was something that was created for those who have obtained wealth by dishonest means, and its a great diversion tactic, but it doesn't change anything. The money that Gates has raked in is from shareholders, and everyday investors, money that's not his nor ever has been his to give away. Its nothing more than legal corruption.
One great concept are businesses that are employee owned, everyone plays a role in how well the company does, thats one great incentive for making money, and more of it.
