Bashing Billionaires: 'Tis the Season

Is society better off when the rich give away their wealth, or when they keep it tight in their well-manicured hands? It depends, say economists. Earlier this year, Carlos Slim, Mexico's (and the world's) richest man, kicked up something of a philanthropic ruckus when he questioned the social value of giving away his money -- some $53.5 billion. "Trillions of dollars have been given to charity in the past 50 years," said Slim, at a conference meant to promote charitable giving. "They don't...Full Story