BILL GATES For President!

[browneyedgirl]

http://freeinternetpress.com/story.php?sid=9473


What started out as a blog cartoon has became a serious thought of many people.
Bill Gates sure has the funds to run a campaign, he is smart enough&indications are-- moral enough(no more stinky cigar business in the Oval Office). And, he seems to be a very charitable &kind person--at least to third world countries. He said in a speech,"The world's children are my children."
Would you vote for Bill Gates if you could? Would I? Maybe---if Hilary were not running!

[Stealth]

"The world's children are my children."

That's such a condescending comment. Why doesn't he share more of his wealth?
I wouldn't vote for him simply because he's the greatest example of economic neoliberalism (not to be confused with political liberalism). He represents everything related to unregulated capitalism, monopoly, outsourcing as a way of acquiring cheap labour, insecure jobs based on relatively short term contracts as opposed to permanent jobs, etc.

I didn't choose any of the options mentioned above in the poll because none of them apply. I wouldn't vote for Gates for political reasons.

[miditek]

http://freeinternetpress.com/story.php?sid=9473


What started out as a blog cartoon has became a serious thought of many people.
Bill Gates sure has the funds to run a campaign, he is smart enough&indications are-- moral enough(no more stinky cigar business in the Oval Office). And, he seems to be a very charitable &kind person--at least to third world countries. He said in a speech,"The world's children are my children."
Would you vote for Bill Gates if you could? Would I? Maybe---if Hilary were not running!

Haha! Gates is no doubt highly intelligent, but at heart, he's a technocrat (with a rather generous nature- I saw where he left an $8,000 tip for an astonished wait staff on a $12,000 tab!), rather than a politician.

I would probably give his candidacy a serious look, at the very least.

[Neorave]

...are you kidding me!?!? I don't believe this crap AT ALL!

That would be as bad as the head of the resurant committee here in Seward, NE. She's the head of the resturant committee, and she owns her own resturant. She's already turned down MANY resturants (Arby's, Burger King, etc.) just because "it might drive [her] out of business."

That's exactly what Bill Gates would do. LOLOPOLY!!!

[miditek]

"The world's children are my children."

That's such a condescending comment. Why doesn't he share more of his wealth?

Gates is the father of three children, and certainly has the wherewithal to help millions more, so why not? The world doesn't owe you a thing, which is a point that is lost on many when pontificating about philanthropy.

However, Gates has given aways nearly 50% of his wealth (over $29 billion) already, and also plans to divest the remainder of his fortune in his lifetime.
I'd love to see other American families such as the Waltons or the Kennedys follow this example. We can probably forget about aristocratic families in other countries to do the same.

So before invoking still more trans-Atlantic class warfare, perhaps you should take a look at the foundation's financial reports.

Warren Buffet, the second richest man behind Gates, donated the bulk of his fortune to the Gates Foundation, which is on track to give away all of the money by the end of this century. That is an almost unfathomable amount to give.

He represents everything related to unregulated capitalism, monopoly, outsourcing as a way of acquiring cheap labour, insecure jobs based on relatively short term contracts as opposed to permanent jobs, etc.

Gates represents the antithesis of Eurocentric socialism, laziness, sense of entitlement, and above all, envy. All of the fascist lawsuits that are launched against highly successful Silicon Valley companies, such as Apple and Microsoft, by idiotic EU bureaucrats and judges won't change the situation one iota.

[browneyedgirl]

Once there was a rumor thing about Bill Gates being the Anti-Christ.
Well, I certainly appreciate that he helped come up with the WebTv, as crappy as it is! But, his $100 notebok PC idea went down the tubes, though.

[Stealth]

miditek, why do you always take everything personal?? No one said anything insulting and you start (once again) talking about the "idiotic" EU bureaucrats. Get this into your head: The world is more than the US and the EU. And I'm all for social democracy (btw, what does that have to do with laziness?!? ). Did you know that the party in power in Chile is social democrat? As I said, there's more to this than the EU.
You always sound angry in your posts; relax. Yes we all criticize one thing or another, but you, for example, used the words "laziness", "envy" (wth?), "fascist lawsuits", "idiotic EU bureaucrats", etc. Take a pill or something and you'll feel better.

If Gates gives away part of his wealth, that's nice, but he still represents a system where someone (in this case, himself) is able to accumulate unlimited amounts of riches. To me, the fact that he accumulated approx. $60 billion (based on what you said) is utterly ridiculous. No one needs that kind of money to make a living, and before talking about merit, there's NOTHING in this world that Gates could have done to justify his wealth simply by merit, hard work, or whatever. The only way someone would deserve that amount of money is if he/she would be able to eliminate hunger, poverty and wars in the world (in fact, I would be fine with that person receiving much more than $60 billion for his/her services). But in this case, it's ridiculous. And before you say anything, no, I'm not communist. You don't have to support communism to realize that such an accumulation of wealth by one individual is insane.

All of the fascist lawsuits that are launched against highly successful Silicon Valley companies, such as Apple and Microsoft, by idiotic EU bureaucrats and judges won't change the situation one iota.

You are right, those lawsuits will probably not change the situation. Which is why there are less jobs (i.e. more unemployment), less workers' rights, and more homeless people in the US. Consider Wal-Mart: No job security for employees and the creation of labour unions is strictly forbidden, to the point where Wal-Mart monitors its employees to make sure that they don't get organized.

So before invoking still more trans-Atlantic class warfare, perhaps you should take a look at the foundation's financial reports.

Let me make this clear again, since you seem to have a fixation with everything "trans-Atlantic". I DO NOT live in Europe. I live in Canada and I was born and raised in South America. FORGET about Europe for one second and concentrate on the political issue!

[browneyedgirl]

Instead of, "a chicken in every pot" Bill Gates could say as a slogan, "A PC complete with Vista, in every home!"

The movie "Pirates of Silicon Valley" did not paint a pretty picture of Gates: he was characterized as a greedy, two-faced opportunist who befriended his rival Steve Jobs&won his trust. Then, got/stole the idea of Windows FROM Jobs. There was a lawsuit and after a lengthy trial it was dismissed. However, despite Gates taking control of Apple and a tragic battle with Cancer, Jobs bounced back and has done OK himself--he is worth billions--one of the richest men in the world.
There is a saying in the Bible, "When 1 man rises to greatness, 9 men fall." I have to say in the cutthroat world of cyber-capitalism, that seems to be true!

So, if BG is indeed that hardened, maybe he could be a good Chief Executive. Pussys sure don't belong in the White House, and by that I mean no weak or faint of heart.

[Stealth]

"A PC complete with Vista, in every home!"

I'm sure the homeless would appreciate that.

[Stealth]

miditek, why do you always take everything personal??

Maybe its because of the prevalent socialist viewpoints presented in this forum

What's your point? What does my "socialist viewpoint" have to do with someone taking certain comments personal? Giving opinions from a social-democrat perspective is not equivalent with being offensive or insulting, unless you are so incredibly close-minded. I don't take people's comments so personal when they talk about general political points of view. They are expressing their opinions, not a personal attack against me.

I wouldn't vote for him simply because he's the greatest example of economic neoliberalism

In other words you hate capitalism.
Because its the governments job to provide everyone with a steady job, right?

In other words, you like putting words in my mouth. You and your hot-blooded friend have a tendency to automatically antagonize and exaggerate opinions. The concept of hatred was not implied in my comment, but you like making things bigger. Have you ever considered working for the yellow press? I said that Gates is the greatest example of economic neoliberalism. I DON'T AGREE with the policies of economic neoliberalism. I think it's an unfair economic arrangement. I didn't say I hate capitalism or capitalists, so don't see things the way you want to see them.

I think it's the government's job to regulate transnational companies. For example, maybe you think it's ok that the citizens (many of whom are far from being wealthy) have to pay huge amounts of taxes while transnational companies and corporations (which already generate insane amounts of profit) get tax breaks. Well, I think that sucks. Those who occupy top positions in corporations get tax breaks, while someone who earns $15,000 a year has to pay lots of taxes... I don't see the logic in that.
Another form of regulation would be to ensure that employees have a say in their workplaces through labour unions. Unions provide more job security and employment benefits such as health care. And I also think it's the government's responsibility to provide welfare assistance for those affected by certain circumstances (receiving welfare does not mean living for free because you don't want to do anything; impoverishment is sometimes unavoidable for many people, although I know you buy the hegemonic discourse which blames the poor for their own poverty).

As Dave Mustaine said in "Take no Prisoners": don't ask what you can do for your country; ask what your country can do for you And before you say anything, by this I don't mean that one shouldn't care for the things that happen in one's country at all.

[browneyedgirl]

Let's see--IF BG were running for Prez&had a press conference I'd want answers in the following areas: War in Iraq, US Economy, Foreign Policies, Education.
Then, I'd know if I want to vote for him ro be at the Helm of this country.

[NeonVomit]

Bill Gates would probably make a terrible president. He doesn't seem to have the knowledge or charisma or experience working in fields I would want someone leading my country to have.

He made billions by being clever and I say good for him, he earned it. Anyone discrediting him because 'he's a capitalist symbol' is, in my mind, shooting themselves in the foot. The computer you're reading this on is a product of this capitalist, consumerist state we all live in. If you hate it so much then, well, sell all your stuff and live in a shack in the mountains away from civilization, instead of actively participating in it and then complaining. Or move to North Korea or something.

Again, I'd laugh if he tried to run for president. The world is a far more dangerous and complex place than the software buisiness, and I'd want someone with the proper credentials running the most powerful country in it. Those who lack the credentials, well... GWB is an example of a pretty disasterous presidancy. It's good to see most Republicans have finally admitted that instead of continuing to try to make excuses for him, as they know better than I that there are many, many other Republican politicians who are articulate, intelligent and with potential to do good in the world, so why support this buffoon?

And in the same line of thought, why support Bill Gates in a hypothetical run for presidency when there are others from both parties far more suited to the task?

I'd vote for someone who has experience in the dangerous waters of international diplomacy, as well as having the skill to balance that with home issues such as justice, education and the economy.

Oh and I'd rather see an Ikea sideboard as president rather than Hillary Clinton.

[NeonVomit]

Gates represents the antithesis of Eurocentric socialism, laziness, sense of entitlement, and above all, envy. All of the fascist lawsuits that are launched against highly successful Silicon Valley companies, such as Apple and Microsoft, by idiotic EU bureaucrats and judges won't change the situation one iota.

Your posts read a lot like propaganda. It's frightening at times.

I still suggest a good long visit to Europe to quell your hatred. It's actually a nice place, and getting to know it may make you realise that we're not all lazy, envious, terrorist-loving fascists, just like I'd strongly suggest anyone who thinks all Americans are stupid, bigoted, ignorant lemmings to spend a good month or two over there and see that it's actually a pretty cool place...

[nepi]

I don't know if it would be a nice idea when BG get the place on the White House. We all have to remember one thing: Microsoft and Bill Gates only inventioned the Personal Computer. The rest has been inventioned by other companies or persons and BG has taken the idea, changed it a little bit and earned the success & money. MSN-Messenger and the mySpace-stuff are not BG's idea! He only has the visions and make them real.

In the matter of fact, it could be he would do a great job because he would take the best of all or many political decisions and "import" them in the US. I also don't think he wants to do such a job only for his business - He has enough money indeed and he really knows that!

However, Gates has given aways nearly 50% of his wealth (over $29 billion) already, and also plans to divest the remainder of his fortune in his lifetime.
I'd love to see other American families such as the Waltons or the Kennedys follow this example.

The US-folk would not be happy when Bush (or another Pres) would spend "just some millions". It's the wealth of a country and not of a single person (I don't attend to the fact Bush does what he want with the money > iraq, afgahnistan etc).

[NeonVomit]

We all have to remember one thing: Microsoft and Bill Gates only inventioned the Personal Computer.

Well, not exactly.
But he revolutionized the software industry.

The rest has been inventioned by other companies or persons and BG has taken the idea, changed it a little bit and earned the success & money. MSN-Messenger and the mySpace-stuff are not BG's idea! He only has the visions and make them real.

Why does this concern you?
Taco's are not Taco Time's idea but I still enjoy going there. And true many microsoft services are not Microsoft's idea but they managed to do it better, cheaper, and more organized than everyone else. Taking an idea and making it functional isn't that much worse than inventing a concept but not being able to implement it.

I think it's due to people having issues with Microsoft totally dominating the market, which I agree is not a very good thing for the consumer. And let's face it, Windows has had some pretty bad incarnations in the past (either that or I've been spectacularly unlucky with all Microsoft OS's since '95... although XP is being ok to me)

But some people make him out to be the anti-christ, which is quite silly if you think about it. He is not the anti-christ, and he probably isn't the super-genius his supporters make him out to be, but he's a clever buisinessman, and yes, charitable.

He's a guy who got rich in an honest way, nothing less and nothing more.

[browneyedgirl]

This is kinda off-topic, But, how is the new Vista OS? Or has it been released yet?
I heard&read it was going to be something really terrific for PC users.
A phenomenon, more or less.

[miditek]

This is kinda off-topic, But, how is the new Vista OS? Or has it been released yet? I heard&read it was going to be something really terrific for PC users. A phenomenon, more or less.

The RC's (Release Candidates, formerly known as beta test versions) are very cool, although the hardware requirements for Vista are pretty hefty. I suspect that power users at home will adopt it more quickly than corporate users will.

[NeonVomit]

I also heard that Halo 2 will finally be released for the PC as well.

But will only run using Windows Vista...

[browneyedgirl]

This is kinda off-topic, But, how is the new Vista OS? Or has it been released yet? I heard&read it was going to be something really terrific for PC users. A phenomenon, more or less.

The RC's (Release Candidates, formerly known as beta test versions) are very cool, although the hardware requirements for Vista are pretty hefty.

I think a PC processor has to be 512MB My son's desktop is only 256MB, but his notebook is 512MB. However, Vic said he was going to stick with Windows 2005 for both his computers. I don't know what modem Vista requires, though.

[miditek]

This is kinda off-topic, But, how is the new Vista OS? Or has it been released yet? I heard&read it was going to be something really terrific for PC users. A phenomenon, more or less.

The RC's (Release Candidates, formerly known as beta test versions) are very cool, although the hardware requirements for Vista are pretty hefty.

I think a PC processor has to be 512MB My son's desktop is only 256MB, but his notebook is 512MB. However, Vic said he was going to stick with Windows 2005 for both his computers. I don't know what modem Vista requires, though.

My personal recommendations would be a PIV 3.0GHz or one of AMD's or Intel's dual-core processors, at least 1GB (1024MB) of RAM, at least a 128MB AGP or preferably a 256MB or 512MB PCI-X video card (for the new GUI), and an 80GB ATA hard disk. Vista is quite a pig (very bloated), and probably won't run too well on really old hardware.

As far as modems go, Vista, like all other releases of Windows, will have support for most well known brand name modems, such as US Robotics, already built into its driver cache.


@Beg- Can you guys get broadband in your area? BellSouth has a DSL "Lite" service that is comparable in price to a premium dial-up account, such as AO-Hell.

[miditek]

I also heard that Halo 2 will finally be released for the PC as well.

But will only run using Windows Vista...

Your lack of enthusiasm in regards to Redmond's decision on that one surprises me somewhat, NeonVomit.

[browneyedgirl]

This is kinda off-topic, But, how is the new Vista OS? Or has it been released yet? I heard&read it was going to be something really terrific for PC users. A phenomenon, more or less.

The RC's (Release Candidates, formerly known as beta test versions) are very cool, although the hardware requirements for Vista are pretty hefty.

I think a PC processor has to be 512MB My son's desktop is only 256MB, but his notebook is 512MB. However, Vic said he was going to stick with Windows 2005 for both his computers. I don't know what modem Vista requires, though.

My personal recommendations would be a PIV 3.0GHz or one of AMD's or Intel's dual-core processors, at least 1GB (1024MB) of RAM, at least a 128MB AGP or preferably a 256MB or 512MB PCI-X video card (for the new GUI), and an 80GB ATA hard disk. Vista is quite a pig (very bloated), and probably won't run too well on really old hardware.

As far as modems go, Vista, like all other releases of Windows, will have support for most well known brand name modems, such as US Robotics, already built into its driver cache.


@Beg- Can you guys get broadband in your area? BellSouth has a DSL "Lite" service that is comparable in price to a premium dial-up account, such as AO-Hell.

I live too far out in the "boonies" for that. But, Vic does have BellSouth&is considering DSL. What a difference a few miles closer to a bigger town can make!

[NeonVomit]

I also heard that Halo 2 will finally be released for the PC as well.

But will only run using Windows Vista...

Your lack of enthusiasm in regards to Redmond's decision on that one surprises me somewhat, NeonVomit.

I'm sure someone will program a patch to allow it to run on XP. I have no plans for (and cannot afford, anyway) upgrading to Vista until my current PC dies.