I think the focus of soft charity isn't for the government to produce more direct aid but for the government to change policies and laws so that capitalism works to help the poor.
Things like 3rd world debt forgiveness, changing laws to allow generics and cheap drugs to be shipped to Africa sooner simply convincing the government to spend more on charity is really as ineffective as rich people making direct donations.
The other thing is before we pat these guys on the back none of them are changing their standard of living to make these donations. Gates and Buffet have said as much. So really them giving these billions is like us giving our spare change to the salvation army at christmas time.
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