It is incredible that Ms. Scott has donated $36 billion and is still worth $36 billion. Even if her worth had decreased, she would still have more than enough to live opulently if she so desired. That's why the billionaire class generally makes those of us who are not billionaires so angry - they can give generously, change the lives of millions, but they spend their money on garnering what they believe is power, control, and influence. Even so, they would still have obscene amounts of money when it's all said and done, even if they paid taxes and even if they were truly benevolent.
On another note, I was so happy to see that you mentioned Xavier University in New Orleans as a beneficiary of Ms. Scott's generosity. My mother, my aunt, and at least two of my uncles were graduates of Xavier before and during Jim Crow years. Xavier weathered those storms of hatred just as it did numerous hurricanes, including Betsy and Katrina, and she is still standing, still providing a safe haven for Black excellence. If there are miracles, surely Xavier is one.
Xavier University of New Orleans was one of the schools St. Katharine Drexel established. As a young woman, she wanted to establish a religious order and fund schools and universities for Black and Native American students, and she gave her life and inheritance over to her project.
Beautifully said. I cannot comprehend people like Bezos and Musk and mango mussolini who have so much and give so little. And mango-man is the worst, I would say. He ran for the job of a public servant, and all he is doing and all he has done is take from those of us have actually worked for a living and paid our taxes so that OUR country can pay its bills and take care of its people. The one way I pity those gazillionaires is that they can feel no real joy or awe, when they see something beautiful - like the Grand Canyon, or Denali, or the Palouse in Eastern Washington. They only see a place to build more hotels or resorts so they can make even more money. What a horrible way to live.
IMHO the culture of greed is a result of Milton Friedman Theory of Shareholders,. The only social responsibility of the firm is to increase its profits and maximize returns to shareholders. The shareholders, rather than corporate executives, can then decide for themselves what social initiatives to support. Unfortunately the wealthiest shareholders do not seem inclined to make charitable contributions. As for Musk, he is nothing but a racist South African.
The most telling thing about the DOGE cuts is that Congressional Republicans did nothing to stop them. This is exactly who they are and what they believe. Republican sanctimony is no cover for their actions. The party deserves to be tossed into the dustbin of history.
Unlike the Musks of the world, you have not failed at humanity, or empathy, or speaking truth to power. Thank you for being that brave voice speaking out for humanity in today’s wilderness of overt greed and self-dealing corruption.
Not to justify Musk’s behavior in any way (I think he’s a grade-A loser), but I think the trust fund kids like him basically grow up sheltered from the rest of us. To the point that they don’t have the same concepts of right and wrong like we do.
I can’t wrap my mind around what a trillion dollars is. I think of that saying “he who dies with the most toys is still dead”. He could do so much good for the world and still he hoards his money. It’s obscene that the world’s richest man takes food from the poorest and most vulnerable. I truly hate to say this, but I hope he suffers a long, painful death where his money can’t save him. God forgive me.
Pardon my language , I'm 71 and along with Reagan ascending the shitball baby boom generation came of age and started to attain positions of power 😖 The generations that followed us are no better .
Amen, Mr. Pitts. Thankful for what I have and fortunate to share what I can. Wouldn’t trade my current life, happiness or humanness for a trillion bucks.
Thank you, sir, for writing this. I, too, would be a very bad trillionaire. There'd be no hungry people, no unhoused people, medical debt, school lunch debt, or college debt.
Thank you for saying it out loud and so beautifully......
It is incredible that Ms. Scott has donated $36 billion and is still worth $36 billion. Even if her worth had decreased, she would still have more than enough to live opulently if she so desired. That's why the billionaire class generally makes those of us who are not billionaires so angry - they can give generously, change the lives of millions, but they spend their money on garnering what they believe is power, control, and influence. Even so, they would still have obscene amounts of money when it's all said and done, even if they paid taxes and even if they were truly benevolent.
On another note, I was so happy to see that you mentioned Xavier University in New Orleans as a beneficiary of Ms. Scott's generosity. My mother, my aunt, and at least two of my uncles were graduates of Xavier before and during Jim Crow years. Xavier weathered those storms of hatred just as it did numerous hurricanes, including Betsy and Katrina, and she is still standing, still providing a safe haven for Black excellence. If there are miracles, surely Xavier is one.
Xavier University of New Orleans was one of the schools St. Katharine Drexel established. As a young woman, she wanted to establish a religious order and fund schools and universities for Black and Native American students, and she gave her life and inheritance over to her project.
"Whatsoever you have done to the least of my brethren, you have done to me." Macenzie Scott is a true Christian amongst the hypocrites.
Beautifully said. I cannot comprehend people like Bezos and Musk and mango mussolini who have so much and give so little. And mango-man is the worst, I would say. He ran for the job of a public servant, and all he is doing and all he has done is take from those of us have actually worked for a living and paid our taxes so that OUR country can pay its bills and take care of its people. The one way I pity those gazillionaires is that they can feel no real joy or awe, when they see something beautiful - like the Grand Canyon, or Denali, or the Palouse in Eastern Washington. They only see a place to build more hotels or resorts so they can make even more money. What a horrible way to live.
THIS! "Be rich in compassion, in other words. Rich in benevolence. Rich in giving a damn."
Mr. Pitts,
Thank you for expanding my word arsenal, overview and heart.
I read your column in the Jackson(TN) Sun for years and am thankful you're still at it. I enjoy your books as well. Bravo!
IMHO the culture of greed is a result of Milton Friedman Theory of Shareholders,. The only social responsibility of the firm is to increase its profits and maximize returns to shareholders. The shareholders, rather than corporate executives, can then decide for themselves what social initiatives to support. Unfortunately the wealthiest shareholders do not seem inclined to make charitable contributions. As for Musk, he is nothing but a racist South African.
The most telling thing about the DOGE cuts is that Congressional Republicans did nothing to stop them. This is exactly who they are and what they believe. Republican sanctimony is no cover for their actions. The party deserves to be tossed into the dustbin of history.
Beautiful, Leonard.
Unlike the Musks of the world, you have not failed at humanity, or empathy, or speaking truth to power. Thank you for being that brave voice speaking out for humanity in today’s wilderness of overt greed and self-dealing corruption.
Not to justify Musk’s behavior in any way (I think he’s a grade-A loser), but I think the trust fund kids like him basically grow up sheltered from the rest of us. To the point that they don’t have the same concepts of right and wrong like we do.
I can’t wrap my mind around what a trillion dollars is. I think of that saying “he who dies with the most toys is still dead”. He could do so much good for the world and still he hoards his money. It’s obscene that the world’s richest man takes food from the poorest and most vulnerable. I truly hate to say this, but I hope he suffers a long, painful death where his money can’t save him. God forgive me.
Sure , no problem , I forgive you . Go forth and sin no more my sister . 😁
Pardon my language , I'm 71 and along with Reagan ascending the shitball baby boom generation came of age and started to attain positions of power 😖 The generations that followed us are no better .
Amen, Mr. Pitts. Thankful for what I have and fortunate to share what I can. Wouldn’t trade my current life, happiness or humanness for a trillion bucks.
Thank you, sir, for writing this. I, too, would be a very bad trillionaire. There'd be no hungry people, no unhoused people, medical debt, school lunch debt, or college debt.
Matthew 25:40.