Warren Buffett's donation (Star Tribune, June 26) to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates's decision to devote his time and his fortune to the foundation, and the recent call for higher taxes on the richest Minnesotans by our own Growth & Justice think tank, show that the truly rich understand investment -- in education, in health for the children of the world, in national and international infrastructure.

While some citizens repeat and repeat the mantra, "It's my money and I can spend it more wisely than you can," those who have millions and billions know that without a healthy, educated populace and a robust world, that money will not buy them safety, comfort or happiness.

Without educational opportunities, the physician who could be taking care of me may be stuck behind the counter at the grocery store. Although I may be able to afford to keep myself in excellent health, the person without it -- infected with TB -- can still cough in my face and make me sick. And without a road to the hospital -- or a hospital to go to, for that matter -- I may suffer on my lavish estate rather than be comfortable and healthy.

Let's follow the excellent example of people who really know money, and invest ours privately through donation and publicly with our taxes, in an improved world -- at least one in which the city's libraries can stay open five days a week.

ELAINE FRANKOWSKI, MINNEAPOLIS