Buffett's Billions

Money so they say, is the root of all evil today. But if you ask for a raise it's no surprise they're giving none away, away, away, away...

That famous lyric was written by the band Pink Floyd in June of 1973. Oh how times have changed.

In June of 2006 Warren Buffett, he of Berkshire Hathaway, gave away over $30 Billion. Buffett's donation is the largest philanthropic gift in history.

Buffett donated the vast amount of his personal fortune to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation is the largest transparently operated charitable foundation in the world founded by Bill and Melinda Gates in 2000.

Prior to Buffett's donation the foundation was already endowed with over $30 Billion. Now the total exceeds $60 Billion. Imagine all the good things that can be done with such a vast sum of money. Imagine being able to cure AIDS or remove a common disease from the face of an entire continent. Imagine having your name associated with doing one of these things. Well imagination may soon become reality because of Warren Buffett's Billions.

A good friend of mine used to tell me that life was a "paper chase." That we were all just chasing paper, "money", and not doing much more of anything else. Sadly, I think he is right. Who wants more money? I do! Why do we all work longer hours at our jobs? Why are we buying stocks and real estate? To make more money. Life always seems to come down to money.

How inspiring it is to see someone who has succeeded at getting the money actually doing something good with it. How admirable to get it and then just give it away. Imagine what could happen if Buffett's ideals became as infectious as the diseases his money will cure. The wealthy all over the world would be giving away their money and the world would become a much better place. We could even name a disease after him. We could call it "Buffett-itis." Now that would be a disease worth having.

Hopefully Buffett's ideals will resonate with others like a catchy tune or a good song that plays over and over in your head. And oh yeah, "Money" by Pink Floyd is still a great song but hey, they were wrong. They are giving it away. Just ask Warren Buffett.