[Winona Online Democracy]
Kathy
The disagreement I have with the tone of the discussion was that wealth and
power always went hand in hand and were always "evil." While that
sometimes is the case I do not believe that is the rule of this land. Good
people can and do to good things and many do those things anonymously or
with little fanfare. Is that power, freedom, duty, humanity, commitment or
all of these things?
Dwayne had asked for specific examples when he said "But I disagree with
you when you say, "You can have wealth and not exercise power". Please
show me an example of such a noble soul." I gave him two. It was not "for
power" that these individuals did what they did but in my opinion to
exercise their freedom and humanity to do so.
I prefer my dictionary definition of philanthropy which is "love of
mankind" or "deeds of practical beneficence".
With regard to the second thought. I would not defend the tobacco
companies, nor the people who rolled the dice for 40+ years of knowing it
would cause them serious harm. The tobacco company money and their
actions today are "restitution not power".
Paul Double
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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]
>From: "Kathy Seifert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>X-OriginalArrivalTime: 19 Nov 2000 20:27:11.0840 (UTC)
>
>Paul and others:
>
>In response to your words below, I'd like to say that these individuals did
>choose to exercise power and influence by their actions of donating money to
>the organizations they wished to support. This is what all of us who have
>an ethic of philanthropy do, no matter how small or big the gift.
>
>Maybe we could discuss more of what constitues good ethics when it comes to
>exercising one's power or influence or wealth? The Wizard of Oz so nicely
>defined philanthropists as "good-deed-doers." What good deeds are being
>done by tobacco companies who contibute with the understanding that a
>politician will vote on legislation supporting their industry? (I admit I'm
>an ex-smoker who lost two grandparents to lung cancer--I'm biased about
>these guys, but honestly, what good are Winstons doing for the American
>People?)
>
>What I think we need is a system that supports ethical decision-making on
>every level. Power and influence are wonderful things when they are used
>ethically to promote the greater good. What we need to do is to work harder
>to find areas of agreement in terms of what is good for our country (or
>community) and its citizens.
>
>Will the folks interested in creating a community of character be willing to
>comment on this?
>
>Kathy Seifert
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>Paul Double wrote:
>
>Their has been many who have wealth but choose not to exercise power.
Among those would be several Nobel Prize Winners. Two specific individuals
would be Oseola McCarty, a humble 89 year old retired laundress from
Hattiesburg, Miss. who donated $150,000 to the University of Southern
Mississippi and Matel Dawson Jr., a Ford Motor Co. employee. Dawson, 75,
an astute investor who was unable to finish high school, lives in a
one-bedroom
apartment in Highland Park, Michigan and drives a Ford Escort to work
everyday. In 1996 he gave $200,000 to Wayne State University and $240,000
to the United Negro College Fund. In 1997 he also gave $100,000 to
Louisiana State University.
Some people who have made money simple enjoy the opportunity to take care
of their families and enjoy life without the
>complexity of politics or business.
>
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