Why I’m Giving Away $1 Billion

The moment is overdue for us to become moral and worthy ancestors.

NEWSWEEK
Published May 30, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Jun 8, 2009

« Return to Article

Discuss

Member Comments

  • Posted By: delrone @ 06/03/2009 12:50:26 PM

    We certainly have lost sight of the morals and ethics of our forefathers. They understood that a man who doesn???t work should go hungry. If not what is his motivation to work?
    Of course children should never go hungry but that is their parents responsibility and then their extended family and the church. Finally, after all else it the responsibility of the community.
    We live in a time where it is difficult to get a job. Thank God! Maybe now people will learn to value the OPPORTUNITY to work. To those person???s who have worked steady for the last ten years, paid their bills and who???s tax dollars paid for those who would not work I pray for each of you because you are the one???s who have been unfairly effected by this crazy economy. However for those of you who now complain about the lack of jobs but haven???t kept the same job for over a year or weren???t working at all for the majority of the last 5 years. Wake up! A job is a privledge not a right and the fact that you have had poor work ethics and been a drain on working America should be considered by potential employers. Even person???s with disabilities can and should work There was a time when person???s with the disabilities fought for their right to be employed. They knew everyone needs a purpose. Now everyone and their brother is doing everything they can to be labeled disabled so they don???t have to work.
    I know people who are angry that employers are judging them on their work history. People who believe the banks cheat you when they charge a fee if you write a bad check Seriously! People who are to good for any job don???t deserve a job. Think about our ancestors??? they would do ANYTHING to feed their families and build a future for their children and grandchildren. Yes, this is harsh by today???s standards but it is Today???s standards that have destroyed American values. Today people want everything for nothing. We are not wealthy; I have to help my children to meet their children???s needs. I have epilepsy and Fibro Mialgia but do not want disability. I am proud to give up a trip if it buys school clothes for a grandchild. Hard work and not relying on charity has given us a life we can be proud of.
    delrone

    • Posted By: NewsView @ 08/13/2009 4:03:44 AM

      A person who can't spell their own medical condition probably doesn't suffer it. We don't work merely for survival but because career defines a good chunk of our ego, from friendships to lifestyle advantages. People who never work tend to lack self esteem and therefore do not have much of a life. Nobody in their right mind wants to feel useless or sad, live virtually friendless in a bad area and be looked down upon by society at large. So the natural question follows: What person "wants" to be be disabled? Nobody! You TRULY have to be messed up in the mind, body or spirt not to want to run with the Jones'. So we can safely assume that people who aren't making it in our society have REAL PROBLEMS.

      Educating a child is a form of mandated "help". Trash pickup, sanitation districts, firehouses, police ??? these HELP society remain safe and civilized. By Delrone's logic, all of the above should be done away with because they too will encourage infantile dependence. At one time, it was even a controversial notion to fund a fire department! Compare this bygone debate to the hysteria over healthcare reform. While the rest of the developed world sits back and considers healthcare one of those firehouse has-beens of a dialog, we're still going for broke ??? refusing to wake up until our employers drop insurance benefits altogether like the pensions of yesteryear.

      Whatever happened to "judge not, lest you be judged"? There are people who are legitimately unable to work because they really are sick mentally or physically (of which drug/alcohol addicts are a subset ??? you don't want someone high out of their mind to change your car brakes or teaching your kid in school anyhow, right?). And not all disabilities are created equally, either. Example: Failed back surgery is incredibly common in the US because spinal surgery has one of the lowest success rates. And while most people wouldn't expect someone who has an adult-onset disability to run a jack hammer for a living, these same people are often ignorant to the fact that sitting ??? as more than 80 percent of us do for our computer-dependent jobs ??? places more stress on the spine than just about any other position! For these pain sufferers, stationary AND vigorous employment conditions are off the table. Why? Because employers don't have to accommodate a disability if the accommodations includes frequent pain-related absences! Doctors, similarly, can't ask these people to drown their pain in a pain med addiction for the sake of satisfying complete strangers like delrone. Do we even want people who are routinely doped up like that to get on the road and drive to work alongside us?

      Bottom line: Until we know the circumstances of why certain people are under employed or unemployed, folks should refrain from throwing stones in glass houses.

      Sometimes a heart and a brain come in handy. Especially when they work in tandem.

    • Posted By: Prosperina @ 07/02/2009 5:02:26 PM

      Hater. This article is about the spirit of philanthropy and giving towards others. You seem to understand neither urge. Unfortunately, this is a problem facing our society that money can do nothing to fix. Good will and compassion are ends in themselves as well as roads to a better world for all. Condemnation of the 'other' is short path to nowhere. Have a little love, not just for your own family but for all those trying to make the best of a hard situation.

  • Posted By: NewsView @ 08/12/2009 8:31:39 PM

    I only wish Mr. Peterson had written more. A disturbing subject, but an eloquent voice. Thanks for being a voice of courage in a world of angry cynics and "never mind" Pollyannas.

  • Posted By: wv26242 @ 07/26/2009 12:32:58 AM

    maybe this is the wrong place to ask for help...but i read he was helping or giving money away..and god knows i need help...if it is the wrong place then just delete it and pray for our family and asscept my apology..ty...jay wv26242@yahoo.com

  • Posted By: wv26242 @ 07/26/2009 12:30:57 AM

    Hi ,

    My name is Jay , I moved to virginia around 2 years ago from west virginia.I have been always a good father and a good supporter.I do work but times are hard mentally and physcially ( just as it is for alot of people ).I have a 20 year old daughter that is the life of my life and the only child.I have been trying really hard lately to help her fight off a struggle with drugs.She is trying to make it and with gods help she will.I am really struggling right now in lifecuts are coming in my job and i was struggling long before that.I am not in the best of shape .I have bad eye sight, I have to wear glasses ( i buy the dollar tree brand ) because i cant afford the good ones and they hurt my eyes but i must wear them to see .I have had double by-pass ,and spianal surgery ( that crushed the nerves in my back ) so now i drag my feet.I am classified handicap but i still try to work because i couldnt make it on the ssi money and im trying to do what i can to work.I am not a quitter and i will never give up.I have a wonderfull girlfriend that loves me even though im a guy with bad eyes that drags his legs.Thank god theres someone for everyone.Lately its getting really hard to pay the bills and we buy food if and when we can.My car ( which i was going to sell to help my daughter - and buy me a junker to drive ) needs tires and the inspection is due ,but i have no money for that.My bills are due but ill hopefully find a way.I believe that the power of prayer works and that a answer will come.I am not a selfish man i help others when ever i can and have a good heart...Just now it seems that no hope is coming..but i havent given up...If there is anyone that may have any way of helping me out in any way..id appreciate it...I have asked for a handicap ramp..alot of people have offered to build it but i cant afford the materials ( thats ok i do appreciate them..ill just use the steps .Icould use any type of help right now financially if anyone can...If not thats ok too...just keep us in your prayers.I was trying to sell my car to get me a junker and send the rest to my kid so she could buy a car to try to go to nursung school to hel her get on the right track ...but thats ok...something will come her way im sure..if you find it in your heart to help me..I THANK YOU..again i hate to ask...but what am i to do..Im trying and im not a scammer as alot are on here..Im just a regular guy with a good heart and a good soul looking for just a little help to pull me through...TY ALL AND GOD BLESS ...PLEASE KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS...JAY

  • Posted By: tomwarda @ 07/22/2009 1:38:46 AM

    The man is giving away 1,000,000,000,000 dollars and some people still find a way to knock him? That's more than the tally of everyone that left a comment has given to charity or lost at a casino.

  • Posted By: DisciplineIsFreedom @ 07/02/2009 1:51:10 PM

    If he truly cares about the future generation, I wonder why he, a businessman at that, has left off the most important list item for the threat to the future of America's children -- the loss of American jobs to foreign workers.

    What future will there be for them besides welfare? He complains about the pain of idleness at 81, how about at 21? More than anyone, he is in a position to truly understand the forces moving American jobs overseas (or to H1B visa holders here) and more than anyone should be able to figure out practical ways that the trend can be halted, if not reversed.

    Want to do something productive with your billion, sir? Create good middle class jobs for our children. Keep your handouts.

  • Posted By: roland0524 @ 06/19/2009 1:11:36 PM

    I just read this article so I get to see hundreds of responses already submitted. I must have missed the part about send me your needs for money but it seems that???s what most people focused on. Rich man has charitable urge so pounce. I suggest the people who have some problems now due to foreclosure, job loss, health care etc should focus on the 4th paragraph. All things come from good government including education so that people can reason and make good decisions about their lives (self health care, getting an education, parenting responsibilities and so on)and about their elected officials instead of voting for the good old guy who promises them no pain and the good life. Ask not what the rich man can do for you ask instead what you can do for yourself and your fellow man.

  • Posted By: Alshoabi @ 06/12/2009 8:55:19 AM

    Dear Pete Peterson,
    i am a high school senior, who is so worry about his future, who has a goal trying to achieve but didn't find the one who can support him getting what he wants, that is all because the situation and the circumstances that we are living here in my country, am not asking for money or life or any of these things, the only thing am asking for is a good education, which i believe is the key for all these close doors in front of me i am trying so hard, to find the One who will gonna help me achieving this goal, either by a scholarship, or even a loan that i can pay when i finish my studying, and work... anyway what am trying to do now is doing whatever i can preparing for this chance, either by studying, or searching for a scholarships, which is very hard to get specially in my country, if there is any tips that could be given to me pls contact me at
    mmm_4009@live.com

    • Posted By: roland0524 @ 06/19/2009 1:01:48 PM

      Dear MMM
      I'm not Mr. Peterson but I'd suggest you start learning grammar and some basic writing. Are you a foreign young person?

  • Posted By: crand2003 @ 06/09/2009 1:58:36 PM

    DEAR PETE PETERSON,
    PLEASE, WOULD YOU HELP ME GET OUT OF HOUSE AND CAR DEBT AND PAY MY INCOME TAXES SO I CAN LIVE HAPPILY INSTEAD OF BEING ENSLAVED? I DON'T NEED MUCH TO REALLY GET MYSELF BACK ON TRACK. CONTACT ME AT CRAND2003@YAHOO.COM

  • Posted By: crand2003 @ 06/09/2009 1:58:01 PM

    DEAR PETE PETERSON,
    PLEASE, WOULD YOU HELP ME GET OUT OF HOUSE AND CAR DEBT AND PAY MY BACK INCOME TAXES SO I CAN LIVE HAPPILY INSTEAD OF BEING ENSLAVED? I DON'T NEED MUCH TO REALLY GET MYSELF BACK ON TRACK. CONTACT ME AT CRAND2003@YAHOO.COM

  • Posted By: MILLION2ME @ 06/09/2009 8:36:51 AM

    MR PETE PETERSON WOULD YOU HELP ME BRING MY BRIDE HERE TO THE US FROM SINGAPORE.THAT IS ALL I WANT IN LIFE IS TO BE UNITED WITH THE LADY I LOVE. CONTACT ME AT ELI2ELI1960@YAHOO.COM

  • Posted By: MILLION2ME @ 06/09/2009 8:28:57 AM

    WOULD IT BE PERMISSABLE TO ASK FOR HELP FOR THIS MOTHER WHO HAVE WORKED FOR YEARS SUPPORTING HER DAUGHTER IN THE PHILLIPINES AND NOW WE WANT TO BE MARRIED BUT WITH LITTLE FUNDS FOR PLANE TICKETS

  • Posted By: badword @ 06/04/2009 7:33:01 PM

    Lets see, Peterson makes billions, pays taxes an the low rate of 15% (I make 18k and pay at 19%) and now he is going to fund a foundation that wants to get rid of medi-care and SS. Soundss like a rich mans plan to me. Is this the same guy that threw himself a 3 million dollar birthday party??

  • Posted By: just2eve @ 06/04/2009 7:28:52 PM

    There's a lot of charities out there, I'm sure he looked into many before many a decision. However, I'ld love it if he took a look at the info P.E.T.A has regarding our treatment of animals and it's effect on us as a society. After much research, it's easy to see how It's the right thing to do morally and is good for our health, the environment... and yes, even the cost of growing our country's food would go down.

  • Posted By: 1404on6 @ 06/04/2009 4:06:06 PM

    I am a US taxpayer .... I'm giving away $billions, too. AIG, GM, etc., etc., etc., etc,..........

  • Posted By: rm2013 @ 06/04/2009 2:09:04 PM

    Hi Pete! I am a disabled veteran. If you could spare 1/20th of 1% to help me repair my sagging 1920's era house I live in (And the only one I could afford), I would appreciate it. It would show your dedication to making the lives of your fellow citizens better.
    If not for a helicopter crash and a few gunshot wounds that ruined my back and legs, making me practically bedridden, I would have done something about my house personally. You can contact me by my details listed. Thanks in advance for your dedicated effort to helping the poor.

  • Posted By: Vatatrek @ 06/04/2009 11:22:14 AM

    Awesome -- I think what this guy, Peter Peterson, is doing is great!

    A billion dollars aimed at promoting fiscal responsibility in America. Sure beats the usual "Big Charity" donation that's usually made to save the Skinny Spotted Humpback Oompah Loompah or whatever. This may actually go toward something in our patriotic interest.

  • Posted By: cascade8 @ 06/04/2009 10:52:58 AM

    Pete, are you kidding me. You are a robber barron. You are not even close to an Eli Broad, Michael Bloomberg, or Bill gates. You have sliced and diced with blackstone for the sole advantage of your investors. Then you sell to the public at the top. Now you tell me you are from Kearney Nebraska so I can feel like you are wholesome. Pete , you are not going to scam me.
    On top of it you form a foundation to probably avoid as much tax as possible. Oh, and you are writing your memior.

    I have no problem with you making all the money you made. But , you are not like the men you mentioned. Pete, I think that you are a fraud.And I can't believe Newsweek would publish your pr piece for your memior sales.

  • Posted By: Aggie09 @ 06/03/2009 11:39:47 PM

    Big deal. He's doing this for himself, so he can tell the world how wonderful he is. If he really wanted to help, he would try to stop the government from destroying our economy. Let him come visit those of us who have had family members laid off and are facing a frightening future. How about some bucks thrown my way? This story is just a bunch of self-righteous drivel.

  • Posted By: sarahj49 @ 06/03/2009 9:50:55 PM

    i would only enough to grt out of debt

Reply

Report Abuse

Enter comments if any for reporting abuse