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Comment by whatshisface | Hacker News Reader

You could also say that it reflects well on our country that a private citizen was able to realize that something needed to be done differently, and then make the change themselves instead of hassling through a decades-long "change the bureaucracy" adventure while competing with seven other equally motivated individuals who also want to change the education system, but in completely different ways...

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You have touched on the fundamental divide in American society. Do it yourself because you want it done and since you have the resources or the drive, versus wait for someone else to do it or force everyone else to since you lack the resources or the drive.

Even politicians who spend so much time and effort highlighting inequalities in society are able to do so because they had to drive to make themselves to do it. If their manner of achieving things is for good or ill is up for debate, but there is no arguing that they are where they are because they chose to go for it.

A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step...

Hard to walk when you're born in concrete shoes, though.

999 out of 1000 private citizens are forced to do exactly that. It's to LeBron's credit that he recognized and properly used his influence and fame to achieve this, but he is in a rare position.

It reflects well on the individual taking the initiative and giving the money, it reflects badly on every country where this is needed to give disadvantaged children equal opportunity.

Every rich person in almost every country in the world can spend money to improve education for disadvantaged children. So I fail to see what makes the country looking good here.

Definitely. This is a glass is quarter full type of situation.

That's true but I have higher hopes for our country's politicians.

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