Change the World
I won't preach my cynical views on why the world is the way it is, but I do this its evolution is in the favor of the very few who step up to the plate to assist it. I read an article about Mr. Trump this morning, and, while many of you know I admire the man, I wanted to point out exactly why I do.
He's pretty rich. Not filthy rich, though - people like Gates (estimated net worth ~$45b), Warren Buffet (~$42b), and many others tower above Trump, whose measly $2.4b resembles a well planned retirement account - a mediocre fortune at best. But what separates Trump from all the others is his ego - his shameless self promotion and ability to take on anything he could dream of.
The new West Side Highway project is underway, as I'm sure many fellow New Yorkers know, with 4 of the total 16 buildings already built. Trump has been working on this project for almost 30 years, and was just granted $2.5m by the city of New York to bury the west side highway, allowing the downtown waterfront to be joined with the rest of the city. For 3/4 of a mile, the highway will be out of sight, creating what will end up to be a beautiful recreational area.
Anyone with an extra hundred million could do this, yet only The Donald has the drive to transform the city. While some other billionaires are investing their money simply to make more money, Trump is putting his money in a public place, where, like his Trump Tower, millions of people will benefit from it each year.
Try to tell me he hasn't changed the world. *it has been brought to my attention that other people have changed the world, too. who'da thunk?*
Given his rather meager share of the world's wealth, I think it's a good analogy to say that the most influential people are not necessarily the most able. What Gates (or many other extraordinarily wealthy people) could have done in 3 or 4 years with the interest he made on his checking account took Trump over 30 years. His ambition is unprecedented, and for this, I ask everyone to respect the little guy, regardless of his ego.
He's pretty rich. Not filthy rich, though - people like Gates (estimated net worth ~$45b), Warren Buffet (~$42b), and many others tower above Trump, whose measly $2.4b resembles a well planned retirement account - a mediocre fortune at best. But what separates Trump from all the others is his ego - his shameless self promotion and ability to take on anything he could dream of.
The new West Side Highway project is underway, as I'm sure many fellow New Yorkers know, with 4 of the total 16 buildings already built. Trump has been working on this project for almost 30 years, and was just granted $2.5m by the city of New York to bury the west side highway, allowing the downtown waterfront to be joined with the rest of the city. For 3/4 of a mile, the highway will be out of sight, creating what will end up to be a beautiful recreational area.
Anyone with an extra hundred million could do this, yet only The Donald has the drive to transform the city. While some other billionaires are investing their money simply to make more money, Trump is putting his money in a public place, where, like his Trump Tower, millions of people will benefit from it each year.
Try to tell me he hasn't changed the world. *it has been brought to my attention that other people have changed the world, too. who'da thunk?*
Given his rather meager share of the world's wealth, I think it's a good analogy to say that the most influential people are not necessarily the most able. What Gates (or many other extraordinarily wealthy people) could have done in 3 or 4 years with the interest he made on his checking account took Trump over 30 years. His ambition is unprecedented, and for this, I ask everyone to respect the little guy, regardless of his ego.
posted by Joe in Manhattan @ 1:37 PM
2 Comments:
Trump seems to be doing something good... but I wouldnt pick on Gates to prove the point... His foundation is committed to 7.5 billion in grants with an endowment at a cool 28.8 billion... yeah... more than 10 times Trump's worth, and half of Gates' worth.
check out the stats at:
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/MediaCenter/FactSheet/default.htm
Changing the world is most certainly a worthwhile goal... but you've got wonder if he's just making Lower West Side Manhattan property worth more (while feigning interest in the public's benefit from the project) in order to profit on it later... (as if its not worth enough as it is)
When you're that rich, its hard not to be completely obsessed with the bottom line.
Afterall, what good did The Apprentice do for people other than make a public spectacle of Trump and clog the GE/NBC big media airwaves with even more flickering ad sales and mind numbing 'reality'?
Well, it inflated Trumps pockets a bit and that might be good enough for him.
you know I love to disagree ;-)
I don't think Trump owns most or any of the towers with his name on them, he just pays the buildings to have his name up there. He's of the opinion that publicity is more important to make money than actual insight and creativity (ie Windows or other money making inventions). Also Bill Gates isn't sitting on 45 billion dollars. Most of that money is in Microsoft stock, it's not liquid. I assume you prefer the loud, outspoken, selfserving billionaire versus the quiet, philanthropic one.
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