Billionaire couple donates $10 million to Head Start programs closed by U.S. government shutdown

[antiquie]

Laura and John Arnold provided the money needed to reopen the seven Head Start programs in six states that were expecting to receive their federally allotted grants on Oct. 1 but were forced to close when the government closed many of their own offices on Tuesday, said Sally Aman, a Head Start spokeswoman.

Head Start serves “the poorest of the poor in our country from ages 0-5 to get them ready for kindergarten,” Aman said. She added that over 7,000 children have been affected by the closures.

The Association noted that many low-income parents do not have the luxury of alternative care for their children and when Head Start centers close, they are forced to miss work.

A former hedge fund manager, John Arnold, 39, is worth $2.8 billion, according to Forbes. He and his wife started a charity foundation bearing their name in 2008, but Larson said the $10 million that are giving to Head Start is a personal donation.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/07/20860381-billionaire-couple-donates-10-million-to-head-start-programs-closed-by-us-government-shutdown?lite

[mountain grammy]

1. Income inequality of this magnitude means we beg for funding..

I'm glad these folks are doing this.. they damn well should. I object to running good government programs in this manner. These people should pay a much higher tax rate so all programs assisting the poor can be fully funded.

TAX THE RICH!!!!!

[antiquie]

2. Tax 'em before we are forced to

EAT THE RICH!!!!!

[postulater]

5. I agree. $10M is not going to handle the ongoing needs.

And it doesn't put a dent in his wealth.

A better solution is to raise taxes on all excess income and permanently fund the needs of these programs.

They should feel just as satisfied paying for the program through their taxes as they do by pretending it is out of generosity.

[phylny]

3. I'm not ready to bash these people right now.

Good for them for starting a charity, and good for them for funding Head Start right now.

Yes, we need to tax the rich more heavily, but I'm happy Laura & John Arnold are opening their wallets.

[antiquie]

4. Oh yes! These people are doing good.

Last edited Sat Oct 12, 2013, 05:30 PM - Edit history (1)

I meant the others in their .000001 percent.

[mountain grammy]

6. I am not bashing these people, I am bashing the rotten inequality of the stinking system.

This is a government program, not a charity. It should be fully funded by the government with tax dollars paid by the money hoarders.