Letter: Gates contributes to society

“AP analysis: How Bill Gates influences education policy” (May 17) discusses why many people don’t agree with Gates contributing to the public education fund. However, his nonprofit Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated a substantial $44 million over the past two years.

Many argue that Gates doesn’t have the authority to meddle in public education, but the fact is that without Gates there would be little to meddle with. There would be no policy to change because there would be no money invested to change it.

However much we Americans dislike it, public education costs billions in state funds. Gates is donating a huge sum of money to help educate young pupils, and Gates wouldn’t have any rational plan in doing that to cause harm.

In poorer states, the money is much needed and lightens a significant load on the taxpayers.

In contradiction, in donating money Gates does get a significant say in the education policy and, as an example, Common Core was hugely backed by Gates. However, Gates is not the reason Common Core is becoming a reality, and his donations should be considered a huge contribution to society.