Warren Buffett, Dickensian Philanthropist

 

Roman Polanski's "Oliver Twist"

Warren Buffett, the “sage from Omaha” who is one of the wealthiest men in the world, has everyone talking about an op-ed he published in the New York Times this past week.  By proposing that taxes be raised on people like himself, Buffet is reminding me of the rich philanthropists that show up in Charles Dickens novels, such as Mr. Brownlow in Oliver Twist.

In fact, Dickens has been on my mind a lot in these tough economic times.  Dickens believed that people should be particularly generous when times were tough.  In America today, however, we appear to be surrounded by people begrudging the poor even a little extra gruel. Last November Republicans agreed to extend unemployment pay only if President Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy were also continued, and now it appears they are willing to allow both unemployment pay and the middle class payroll tax cut expire. (But heaven help us if we raise taxes on those making over $250,000—that would be class warfare!)  The Republicans in the House voted unanimously to make the elderly pay for Medicare through a voucher system, even though this would cost the elderly several thousands more.  They want to kill Obamacare but have no plan (or concern, apparently) for the 30 million uninsured Americans that Obamacare will cover.  Presidential candidate Rick Perry complains that lower class Americans (but not upper class Americans) don’t pay enough in income taxes.

Somehow Americans feel they are being personally robbed if money is spent on a library or a park.  How did we become so mean-spirited?  Meanwhile, the income gap hasn’t been this large since the Gilded Age, banks and businesses are flush with cash, and the New York Times reports that items are flying off of shelves in high end boutiques.

“Please sir, may I have some more,” I hear Oliver requesting, only to be shouted down for his impunity.  And then, shifting books, I hear the voice of Scrooge when he is asked for a little Christian charity:

“And the Union workhouses?” demanded Scrooge. “Are they still in operation?” “They are. Still,” returned the gentleman, “I wish I could say they were not.” “The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigor, then?” said Scrooge. “Both very busy, sir.” “Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,” said Scrooge. “I’m very glad to hear it.” “Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,” returned the gentleman, “a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?” “Nothing!” Scrooge replied. “You wish to be anonymous?” “I wish to be left alone,” said Scrooge. “Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned: they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there.” “Many can’t go there; and many would rather die.” “If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”

Buffett, fortunately, is no Scrooge and instead appears to be playing the role of Oliver’s generous benefactor.  Here’s the conclusion to his op-ed piece:

But for those making more than $1 million — there were 236,883 such households in 2009 — I would raise rates immediately on taxable income in excess of $1 million, including, of course, dividends and capital gains. And for those who make $10 million or more — there were 8,274 in 2009 — I would suggest an additional increase in rate.

My friends and I have been coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress. It’s time for our government to get serious about shared sacrifice.

In a Dickensian fairy tale, Buffett’s generosity would radiate out into community and soften hearts.  In the real world, on the other hand, Buffett’s article drew a predictable and tiresome response from The Wall Street Journal:  “Dear Warren, If you feel undertaxed, write a check.”

I’m assuming that the smug editors of the WSJ can do the math and know that the money of a single man, even the third wealthiest man in the world, will not go as far as the tax on millionaires that he proposes.

I don’t know if Dickens made many inroads amongst the millionaires of his day—perhaps they have always been impervious to shame—but let’s dream a little with a passage from the end of Oliver Twist.  Mr. Brownlow has saved Oliver from a life of poverty and crime and has been rewarded by discovering that Oliver is the son of an old friend.  Read thematically, the novel is telling us that we all have connections with the hard-up and the poor, regardless of what cold-hearted Ayn Randians might claim.  Here’s Dickens’ penultimate paragraph:

How Mr. Brownlow went on, from day to day, filling the mind of his adopted child with stores of knowledge, and becoming attached to him, more and more, as his nature developed itself, and showed the thriving seeds of all he wished him to become–how he traced in him new traits of his early friend, that awakened in his own bosom old remembrances, melancholy and yet sweet and soothing–how the two orphans, tried by adversity, remembered its lessons in mercy to others, and mutual love, and fervent thanks to Him who had protected and preserved them–these are all matters which need not to be told. I have said that they were truly happy; and without strong affection and humanity of heart, and gratitude to that Being whose code is Mercy, and whose great attribute is Benevolence to all things that breathe, happiness can never be attained.

Pull out all the stops, Charles.  Our society needs you.

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