Why are Warren Buffett and Bill Gates so liberal?

[Golding]

Bill Gates is probably not exactly a paleoconservative, but I don't think I'd put him next to Warren Buffett as "so liberal". Spending your money for philanthropic goals isn't strictly a liberal thing. If anything, it's demonstrative that the government doesn't need to take money for its own goals -- people will donate to causes they personally believe in.

 

[MyLibertyStuff]

My theory about why so many rich business people become liberal is this:

To become a billionaire requires a certain degree of ego. These ego driven personality types crave to be accepted and respected by the elite. They tend to be social climbers who love media attention.

Joining the left gives them something worth more than money....Their wealth and their liberalism gets them "into the club" where they can bump elbows with the Rockefellers and Rothchilds and Kings and Queens of this world.

I had a childhood friend who went on to become immensely wealthy. His name is "J" and he was status driven ever since he was 10.

He told me once of a New York party that he had recently attended that was full of New York elites. (liberals for sure!)

You had to hear "J" talk about this event!! He sounded like a giddy schoolgirl who just invited to the head cheer leader's house for the big party! Knowing "J" for nearly 30 years...he would definitely embrace liberalism in order to get invited to more parties like that.

This may be true with billionaires, but all the multi-millionaires I know tend to have their egos in check very well. If they dont, they make terrible decisions based on their ego and cant get to that level.

 

[Howard_Roark]

Bill Gates is probably not exactly a paleoconservative, but I don't think I'd put him next to Warren Buffett as "so liberal". Spending your money for philanthropic goals isn't strictly a liberal thing. If anything, it's demonstrative that the government doesn't need to take money for its own goals -- people will donate to causes they personally believe in.

This is what I thought that Gates was a-political. Then I realized theres no way that uber liberal Warren Buffett would donate his lifes fortune unless Gates had his same views. Turns out there two peas in a pod I did research, no wander there friends. Gates father was head of Planned Parenthood and is pro-gun control, pro taxes etc etc

 

[paulitics]

They are monopoly men. What better way to eliminate the competition than to overregulate and tax businesses? Greed is at the core. Imagine yourself an uber rich elitist, which doctorine do you think will make you and your family more rich and powerful?

 

[Steeleye]

Of course the Big O (Oprah) was there. Her cult is a major marketing base.

 

[Pericles]

Used to wonder about this myself, as it makes no sense.

I read about Joseph Kennedy, as that seems to be toward the begin of "limosine liberalism".

He said that he would give away haplf of what he had if it would protect the other half. I conclude there are two motivations at play - this form of appeasement, that the pet will not turn on its master that provides, and the realization that wealth beings influence, which is used to preserve existing wealth at the expense of acquiring additional wealth.

This explains why they love the income tax so much - it prevents the accumulation of capital, which creates more wealthy people.

 

[RonPaulR3VOLUTION]

John Stossel - The myth that big business believes in the free market

YouTube - The myth that big business believes in the free market

 

[max]

Generalization, though not without base.

PLENTY of nerds get mega-rich just 'cause they're so effing smart. There are PLENTY of people who have PLENTY more money than showy people, but you'd never know it.




They could do the just as easily with the Conservative IN crowd.




Uber Rich Conservatives throw soirees that are AT LEAST as opulent. I give you the A.I.G. executives.

Money and High Living are VERY seductive.

That is a principal and principle danger of Big Money being in politics. I observe that American Politicians have a High Life. I'm thinking there is a connection.

we are not in disagreement...

the conservatives you speak of arent really conservatives...they are neo-cons....and neo-cons and liberals both go to the same in-crowd parties. ultimately they are both statists

 

[Spike]

My guess is that most self-made men are liberals. Warren Buffet and Bill Gates weren't born into rich families. The people who inherit their wealth and influence tend to be more conservative.

 

[andrewh817]

Because they can AFFORD to be.

As rightly-wrapped people grow more prosperous, it is intuitive but also ethical that they will become increasingly prudent/careful/CONSERVATIVE fiscally but also more generous/compassionate/LIBERAL socially.

They were no doubt conservative with their money to get that rich in the first place but now they need not worry about wasting money.

 

[Kade]

Others might just be able to say they its just liberal guilt etc but I admire these 2 men as an entrepreneur way too much too just dismiss them, they are just way to smart. I have done alot of research and at the core of all these people from Gates, Buffett, Turner and Soros is one thing: overpopulation. They are also for higher taxes despite being businessmen. I don't really get the whole environmental movement either, who cares if some white rhinos die to make way for another billion people?

Billionaire club in bid to curb overpopulation
America's richest people meet to discuss ways of tackling a 'disastrous' environmental, social and industrial threat

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6350303.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797093

Those three are some of my biggest mentors, personally.

I've brought these facts up in this forums many times, with the responses of the usual pissy temper flare ups.

They are liberal because liberalism is the highest intellectual political position. Of course, if you define liberal as Marxism, Fascism, Socialism, Totalitarianism... well you bore me.

 

[erowe1]

Others might just be able to say they its just liberal guilt etc but I admire these 2 men as an entrepreneur way too much too just dismiss them, they are just way to smart. I have done alot of research and at the core of all these people from Gates, Buffett, Turner and Soros is one thing: overpopulation. They are also for higher taxes despite being businessmen. I don't really get the whole environmental movement either, who cares if some white rhinos die to make way for another billion people?

Billionaire club in bid to curb overpopulation
America's richest people meet to discuss ways of tackling a 'disastrous' environmental, social and industrial threat

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6350303.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797093

Being smart is no impediment to being liberal. If anything it's the opposite. It's the very smart people who are most susceptible to the belief that they know what's best for others better than those others do. Liberals are certainly more educated than conservatives on average, and I would wager they also have higher IQ's on average. Liberalism isn't due to an intellectual flaw, it's due to a moral flaw.

 

[Kade]

Being smart is no impediment to being liberal. If anything it's the opposite. It's the very smart people who are most susceptible to the belief that they know what's best for others better than those others do. Liberals are certainly more educated than conservatives on average, and I would wager they also have higher IQ's on average. Liberalism isn't due to an intellectual flaw, it's due to a moral flaw.

I don't see that as a principle of liberalism. Not one that I've ever heard.

 

[Howard_Roark]

My guess is that most self-made men are liberals. Warren Buffet and Bill Gates weren't born into rich families. The people who inherit their wealth and influence tend to be more conservative.

Inherited money is a hallmark of liberals, Nancy Pelosi with her $25 million she never did anything to earn. In general conservatives are self made. Buffett and Gates are self made in a sense, but Buffetts dad was a congressmen and successful businessmen and Gates dad was equally successful. Not exactly rags to riches.

 

[stag15]

Inherited money is a hallmark of liberals, Nancy Pelosi with her $25 million she never did anything to earn. In general conservatives are self made. Buffett and Gates are self made in a sense, but Buffetts dad was a congressmen and successful businessmen and Gates dad was equally successful. Not exactly rags to riches.

Both also went to very well known schools.