A rather disturbing blog entry concerning Warren Buffett and his granddaughter appeared this morning on AOL. I don't know what bothered me more--Buffett's casual assumption than an "adopted grandchild" was less than a "real"--read that, biological--grandchild, or that one of the richest men in the world would allow a grandchild to go without health insurance.
As the mother of five daughters adopted from the foster care system, there is no question in my mind that these are my "real" kids. Nor do/did my parents, sister or friends ever question that. They didn't get a vote, either. What the heck does Buffett mean when he says HE didn't adopt her as a grandchild--um, Warren? YOU didn't have to--YOUR SON adopted her, and that makes her YOUR grandchild. Don't you have lawyers who can explain that to you?
Of course, the grandchild in question is an adult and apparently makes $40,000 a year, so it's not like Buffett owes her health insurance, but you'd think it would concern him that she doesn't have any.
I know it concerns me when my adult children or my grandchildren don't have health insurance, even though I am not in a position to provide it for them.
I dunno--even assuming that Buffett has more reason than a documentary film and an Oprah interview to dislike his granddaughter, his statements about adoption and his lack of assistance to her are disturbing. It's not like he's being asked to give her a Corvette--it's HEALTH INSURANCE, for Pete's sake.
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11 comments:
Not surprised.
If you read "The Making of an American Capitalist" you'd see that his attitude is in line with how the book portrays him.
He's just very cut and dry.
Very unemotional. Doesn't donate. Likes to hoard money and save it (bit of a disease). .. etc.. More into numbers than people.
I haven't seen "The One Percent" (not on Netflix). But if it is anything like the previous film, "Born Rich," I would have the same reaction.
Those kids are brats trying to prove something to the world by humiliating the hand that feeds them. I would think you wouldn't be so incredibly stupid unless you expected to be disowned/disinherited.
Well. I have always admired Warren Buffet for his financial savvy. I haven't read books about him, and, to be honest, I really hadn't given much thought to what kind of person he was, I just assumed that if he was farsighted and cautious, that (haha, I know I'm an idiot) he must think exactly like I do!!!
I went and found that post, so I could read it myself. And I have to say I'm very disappointed.
We went through so much when we first adopted DD--neither my parents or DH's parents would accept her. I can't tell you how many times we've been told (even recently) to get rid of her. But, Grace, as you said, she is as much my kid as she could ever be, and no matter what happens, at this point, I'm her "mom" forever. And that means making sure she is cared for as I would care for a biological child. That really really makes me angry!!!!
Where is the blog entry? I'm very disappointed. Will be blogging about it later.
The link is embedded in my post--click on the words "blog entry" and it will come up.
The link seems broken.
Warren Buffet provided a college education to each of his grandkids with the very clear indication that that was all he would be providing - I would assume this went for any adopted grandkids as well as his biological ones. I saw one of his granddaughters on Oprah talking about how she got her college paid for but that was all and that she understood why but it was tough to know he COULD set her up for life with very little trouble.
And I don't think he is stingy or "more into numbers than people," as Fabulously Broke suggests. He gives very generously and is in fact leaving his entire fortune to charity upon his death.
He, like many wealthy grandparents, wants to give his offspring enough so that they have every opportunity, but not so much that they are led into laziness or entitlement. I think it's totally fine that he's not leaving them - or helping them - with anything beyond the basics of education and a sturdy upbringing.
As for the adopted grandkid, um it's NOT his grandkid. If you adopt a child it becomes your child, certainly. But I can understand how grandparents wouldn't form the same attachment with an adopted grandchild, especially if they aren't close to their own child or if the grandchild was adopted as an older child.
Mapgirl--I don't know why you can't it to work. It still works for me. Try cutting and pasting this: http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/11/the-dark-side-of-warren-buffett/?icid=200100397x1214757293x1200956152
Ah Meg--I cannot tell you how sad your comments make me, as an adoptive mom, feel. I truly hope your attitude changes once you have children and grandchildren of your own. All I can say is that while my parents sometimes doubted my sanity in adopting five children, there was never a question that these kids were part of our extended family--if it had been any other way, I would have disowned my parents before I would have let them treat my children as something less than their "real" grandchildren.
As for what we "owe" our children, I agree that we don't necessarily owe them anything as adults, and that providing a college education is wonderful. But personally, if a child of mine was without medical insurance (or vehicle insurance for that matter) and I had the funds to provide it, I would--notwithstanding what I thought of my child/grandchild or their lifestyle, or even their opinion of me.
This child was adopted at 17 or 18, after her mom divorced Warren Buffet's son--and her father is still alive.
Something is very fishy here, and I can see how Warren Buffet wouldn't want to recognize the adoption, especially after she screamed to the world what a brat she is.
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