Another Kazillionaire Promising to Give to Charity But it's Not Good Enough

There is a new group in the United States, started by Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, called The Giving Pledge. They now have 57 wealthy Americans who pledge to give away the bulk of their fortunes to charity, in some abstract "before I die or not" promise.

It is not legally binding and there is no mention of what charities will receive the money.

Foundations supporting right-wing think-tanks? The Tea Party?

If they were really serious about wanting to help, they would lobby the government to raise their taxes, so that everyone has a stab at that American pie, instead of promising money that they will just get further tax breaks on.

The unemployed are not looking for their charity. They want work and they want their homes back. But until the rich start paying their share, that's not going to happen.

I don't know if any Canadian kazillionaires are going to sign on to yet another tax grab, but something definitely has to be done and soon. With Stephen Harper poised to give them more money in January, income disparity is becoming a hot topic.

Carol Goar writes: Unease grows over inequality

The warnings are beginning to register. People aren’t ready to act, but they’re listening, reading, thinking about what happens when a tiny minority grows extremely rich at the expense of everyone else.

This should not only be an election issue, but THE election issue. What is going to be done to correct this injustice?

We need a firm commitment to raise corporate taxes. We could start with a maximum increase, with credits for job creation, provided the jobs are full time and permanent, with a decent wage and benefits.

And we need to raise taxes on the rich. When the top salary earners are now paying less than the lowest, the system is broken.

Neoconservatism is the god that failed.