That doesn't mean they didn't earn their money.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Yes, and they can keep it, provided everything is going smoothly. The problem is that (chances are, based on probability) their country is in debt and a lot of stuff is going to shit. Bill Gates is one of the few people I think could be not taxed and not get shit, because he pledged EVERYTHING to charity. The other billionaires deserve their money, but there are people who need it. I can tell you right now that if I had billions of dollars, I'd invest it and give most of the returns to charity, or donate to improve public facilities, which is basically what part of taxes do. And by astronomically, I mean like if I took ten million dollars, they wouldn't be worse off, because they already can't think of anything to spend their money on.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Then it should be left up to charitable organizations to //persuade// these rich folks to donate money. It shouldn't be forcefully taken away.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

In a perfect world, yes. Unfortunately, as evidenced by reality, a lot of rich people are pretty selfish.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Evidenced by reality? How so? There are selfish people in every group. The reason we hear about more selfish rich people than selfish poor is because it's easy to look at someone who has more than us and envy them to the point that we put all of our focus on their wrongdoings. Where I'm coming from is that someday, I aspire to have wealth. I would like to help others with my wealth but only in a productive way that I see fit (not necessarily through an organization). What would be the point of me achieving my goal of wealth if some asshole is just gonna come along and take a good portion of it away? Also, not to be Mr. State-the-obvious, but taxes go to the government, which has a pretty negative reputation amongst its people. The government spends money like a spoiled teenage brat. Why does it deserve the money more than, not just the rich people we're discussing, but **everyone**?

by Anonymous 11 years ago

A poor person who hoards his stuff is not being selfish, because he absolutely needs all of it. A rich person who hoards his stuff is selfish because he could get by better than most of the middle class on 10% of it. That's practically my point. The rich people see it fit to keep all their stuff. When the government takes it, it will be used for the public good. Taking the US as an example, spending trillions (or hundreds of billions, not too sure) each year seems like a lot, but that's probably less than a thousand dollars per person. THe government actually spends considerably less than the people, when you consider that the government has to take care of each one. Military stuff is expensive, and it is necessary as long as other countries have it. If I made twenty billion dollars, I deserve all of it. But, if there are other people's needs to be fulfilled, I won't grumble about someone taking ten billion away for me. I would probably have given it willingly anyway. Most of the 1% who controls 50% of the money has earned it, but do they really need to keep so much of it? I'd say they are TOO highly taxed when they need to make cutbacks.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

It isn't wrong to take billionaires' money because they'll miss it, it's wrong because it's stealing. I oppose it on principle. No, a billionaire won't feel the loss of a million dollars. Does that mean we shouldn't arrest people that rob billionaires? They won't miss the money, ergo it's okay to take it away from them?

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Exactly what Atheistic said... it's the principle of the matter. It's like me refusing to pay a parking ticket when I know I've followed the rules for the lot in which I have parked. Some people would say, "but it's just $10. No need to fight it." That's the attitude that let's many people and organizations get what they want--because everyone who's affected just accepts it. Sure the government puts money towards things civilians need but what about the billions wasted on things we could provide for ourselves? I'm glad you wouldn't grumble about half of your earnings being taken away from you. That's great. Why not give the option of letting people like you give up their earnings while the rest of us keep it and invest it better than the government ever possibly could?

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Stealing is wrong because it is for the good of one lazy guy. Taxes aren't because they go toward improving the country. When it's for a good cause, then you look at if they'll miss it. If it's not, then the money should stay firmly in their pockets, not matter how badly off the robber is. Okay, my view might be skewed because Singapore's investment company only deals with a small country's money, which is easier to manage. They're doing quite a good job.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Taxes going towards improving the country is a very debatable statement. That's all I'll say.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Then where does it all go? Besides, I already said I'd prefer to donate it to improve a library or something directly. And just because you didn't see it doesn't mean it didn't happen. A lot of where taxes go are largely invisible. Like, maybe paying public servants. In the US I think there are probably a million in total. THen there's investment. The greater the investment, the greater the return. Say the US cut military spending to a 'reasonable' level. Countries like Iran will secretly build up their nuclear arsenal, and then crush everyone. Just pointing out that just because the money didn't all go to building new cineplexes in every city, doesn't mean it's lining the president's pocket. It could have gone to maintaining existing buildings, the subway system, research etc, etc.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Even though they are taxed highly, a lot of them pay less than poorer people, ratio-wise because of all the loopholes they can get. Classic example: Warren Buffet and his secretary. It's not about them paying more because they can. It's about them paying their fair share, and that doesn't mean they didn't earn their money.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Why on earth would ot be okay to take more from someone just because they earn more? Maybe instead of depending on the rich to pay more so all the "poor" people can get government hand outs, they need toget off their butts and earn for themselves. Thats the only reason the poor want to tax the rich more heavily; to make sure their lazy butts can keep getting their government handouts.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

What about those who were bankrupted and need capital to restart? Or those who want to make something of themselves but are stuck in poverty and can't afford the time to go to school? Or those who really don't have skills and can't work ie, genuine idiots(in a utilitarian society, they would be killed, but we have human rights) And I said TOO highly taxed. If I took a billion dollars form Bill Gates, he would not need to make any cutbacks, so the only reason i'd get sued or go to jail is by principle. They are only TOO highly taxed when they need to make cutbacks. They should enjoy their earnings to the fullest, but they won't be too highly taxed as long as they have surplus, after factoring in generous monthly savings. It may not seem fair, since they earned every cent, but come on. THe only reason to have more than a couple of billion and still be working is to say you're one of the richest people in the world, or for passion. A couple of billion would last you your entire life and you don't need to work. If you work, it's because you want to, not because of the money. It like I have 12 GB of data every month. I'm never going to use for than 3 or 4 GB, so it's selfish to no...

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Okay techinically you dont need any more money other than money for shelter and food, so anybody could fit the catagory of having too much money. You cant base taxes on helping out the poor who HAVENT EARNED MONEY- they shouldnt take the hard working peoples money, whether they have a billion dollars or not is besides the point, its PRINICPLE

by Anonymous 11 years ago

But they earned the money, so they should get to keep it. However, if they have so much money that nothing will make them need to cut back on expenses, then of course they should pay more taxes. In the case i listed, it would exist either in a bank forever (or until it's inherited by someone), or as food on some poor guy's plate. Reasonably rich people, like an actuary, should be made to pay higher taxes than, say, a janitor, but not so high that he has to make every penny count. Warren Buffet, however, has more money than anyone could ever need, and even if he paid 100% tax and lived to 200 years old, he could conceivably continue his current lifestyle until he dropped dead. It's people like that, who haven't pledged their fortune to charity (like Bill Gates) who should (but don't deserve to) pay very high taxes, but not 100%. Remember taxes are only on income, not what you have in the bank (except property, because the government pretends you're renting it out). If a billionaire stopped working, he wouldn't pay any tax at all.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Some people can be very ignorant on this topic, the point us if you want to keep it fair tax ONLY a percentage of their income, therefor the poor can still maintain their little income and they're not too high for those who have earned it. I know a couple of business owners who make in the 6 digits a month, yes they spend it to fulfill their aspirations but they also donate and share the wealth and the knowledge of how to obtain wealth, even though they show this kindness they shouldn't be taxed extra. EVERYONE has the ability to make as much profit as possible its just a matter of the effort you put into being an entrepreneur in this country. If you have low income, YOU have the ability to change it so you have no right to blame the wealthy for being more outgoing and using the opportunities they were given to succeed in life.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Charities have tax exemption. It should be extended to giving those improvement class things though.

by Anonymous 11 years ago