Yes - it's the taxpayers who made Bill Gates successful. It has nothing to do with taking the risk and having the brains to bring innovative, useful products to market. Products that teachers, schools, and public officials find useful. Thanks apparently goes to the taxpayers for buying chalkboards, desks, overhead projectors, and apples (the kind you eat). I wonder if the makers of these products have given back like Gates has? Oh I mean like the taxpayers have.