THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 2, 1996 TAG: 9610310015
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 29 lines
Frank Rich's Oct. 17 Perspectives column, ``Filthy Rich Hall of Fame,'' not only shows his lack of mathematical mastery but belittles those of us who are true charitable donors.
Mr. Rich spoke grudgingly of the 65-year-old Hungarian George Soros, who gave away a ``cool 50 million bucks'' to pave the way for immigrants to achieve the ``American dream.''
I do not discount Mr. Soros' great contribution to a cause he feels strongly about. What torques my jaw is the implication that this contribution is more noble than others.
Mr. Soros is reputed in this column to have given away his money (the ``cool 50 million bucks''). Given that his Quantum Group of Funds is worth $10 billion, I don't see that as such a charitable donation - it's less than 10 percent of what he earned in the year 1993.
After reading about so generous a human being, I checked my own generosity by referencing my last year's tax returns. Lo and behold, my measly donations of $1,314 did not nearly match the generosity of the great St. Soros. Not to mention the fact that half of mine was donated goods. But compared to my net worth, it's just over 150 percent.
So, induct me into the ``Filthy Poor Hall of Fame.'' Forget Mr. Frank Rich.
TOMMY THOMPSON
Virginia Beach, Oct. 24, 1996 by CNB