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Re:Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich by jpwagner on Saturday January 29, 2011 @04:13PM (#2156393)
fat chance...maybe the above joke is silly, but no one has "a way of establishing the true magnitude of an individual's compensation."
Re:Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich by jarek on Saturday January 29, 2011 @04:34PM (#2156455)
What are some legal ways for an individual to be compensated that wouldn't appear in the tax documentation of either the individual or the company in question?

"Legal" is used here to mean "would stand up in a court of law in the relevant jurisdiction."

Re:Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich by jpwagner on Saturday January 29, 2011 @04:51PM (#2156501)
The fact is that if Eric Schmidt were fined 100% of his "net worth" he would be among the rich again within a year or two.

Suppose a professional gambler made exactly the same amount as Eric Schmidt per year. This "system" would fine them equally. But the gambler relies on his bankroll as his asset, whereas Schmidt relies on his reputation and personal network.

How can you make this fair?

Re:Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich by jarek on Saturday January 29, 2011 @05:23PM (#2156588)
1) Whether yearly income is representative of present and/or future net worth is entirely unrelated to whether the magnitude of said income is discoverable.

2) Everyone has a different definition of "fair." Which one are you using?

Re:Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich by jpwagner on Saturday January 29, 2011 @05:35PM (#2156629)
(1) The original question is ["elsewhere it's like [this], is that better?"]

I merely point out a major caveat.

(2) From the article: "In reality, fairness is not so much about the actual distribution of loot as it is about the psychology of how you feel about it."

Re:Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich by redthrowaway on Saturday January 29, 2011 @05:56PM (#2156697)
What's wrong with rise in net worth over a year?
Re:Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich by hackerblues on Saturday January 29, 2011 @06:25PM (#2156757)
If I go into debt that year does that mean the fine gives me money?
Re:Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich by redthrowaway on Saturday January 29, 2011 @09:16PM (#2157128)
I'm not an expert, but I don't believe debt reduces your net worth. Irresponsible use of that debt does, but if I borrow $250k to buy a house, the value of that house offsets the debt. It's a wash in the end, is it not?
Re:Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich by hugh3 on Saturday January 29, 2011 @10:57PM (#2157311)
Well obviously the grandparent should be read as "If my net wealth decreases over a year then should the fine give me money?"
Re:Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich by jarek on Sunday January 30, 2011 @02:01PM (#2158786)
In Soviet Sweden, the fine pays you. /ducks
Re:Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich by jpwagner on Saturday January 29, 2011 @09:51PM (#2157198)
maybe i took "true" too literally.