News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Life Is a Ponzi Scheme (2009). Parent comment

Re:Life Is a Ponzi Scheme (2009) by Nursie on Sunday November 03, 2019 @07:02PM (#21437695)
You are talking about trying to interpose in the passing of the fruits of one's labours over a lifetime to one's offspring. Trying to do the best for your offspring is a very deep drive and, while one can make perfectly good logical and cerebral arguments against inheritance at a societal level, you're going to run up against deep and very natural human (and animal) feelings.

You can ask people to transcend those, but don't be surprised when you find people object on an emotional level.

And the level of state ownership of the individual that such a tax implies is very uncomfortable too. I am happy to contribute to the state, but it neither owns me, nor is more important than my own family.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Life Is a Ponzi Scheme (2009) by sjy on Monday November 04, 2019 @05:04AM (#21440243)
It’s strange that people seem to have assumed that I want to confiscate all inheritances. I just think inheritance taxes should form some part of an efficient and fair tax system, as they do in many countries, but not mine. Do you feel that inheritance taxation implies a greater form of “state ownership” than the compulsory taxes on labour imposed during your lifetime? For me, it feels like the opposite.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Life Is a Ponzi Scheme (2009) by Nursie on Monday November 04, 2019 @06:14PM (#21447746)
> It’s strange that people seem to have assumed that I want to confiscate all inheritances.

Not really in the context of the post I replied to up-thread -

> "I would love an inheritance tax. Even a 100% inheritance tax, on anything more than zero dollars"

I know that wasn't you, but the subject of 100% inheritance tax was definitely raised.

> Do you feel that inheritance taxation implies a greater form of “state ownership” than the compulsory taxes on labour imposed during your lifetime?

Yes, very much. I pay my way during my life, but what I build with what's left should be mine to disperse to my heirs, if any.

I'm not completely opposed to all inheritance taxes either, I think there's probably a balance somewhere, and it's in society's interest to (for example) break multi-generational acquisition of vast amounts of land that result in effective aristocracy.

It's just the 100% crew I object to.

[ Parent | on HN ]